Chess Team Checks In Again With School Title

Andrew Sprague followed his own advice Wednesday: “Don’t rush, and think about your moves.” It paid off for the eighth-grader.

Andrew’s winning chess game sealed his school’s victory at the 10th annual Capistrano Unified School District Middle School Chess Tournament.

Defending champion and host Marco F. Forster Middle School retained its title by defeating chess teams from Fred Newhart Middle School and Niguel Hills Middle School. Shorecliffs Middle School did not participate.

“There were a lot of really close games this year” and a crop of excellent players, said John Monk, a math teacher and the tournament coordinator.

For first-time competitor Madoka Hamai, the only girl in the tournament, it was a chance to showcase her decision-making skills.

“I played chess with my brother and I liked it, so I decided to try it out,” said the seventh-grader, who won her match.

To qualify for the district tournament, players competed in preliminary tournaments at their schools. The top four winners and an alternate from each grade level then advanced to the finals, where players were paired by grade level.

“I’ve really enjoyed the tournament,” Andrew said. “I don’t look at chess as a challenge; I just play.”