Tillamook students compete at state chess tournament

On Friday, April 12, three local chess teams competed at the annual Chess for Success State Tournament at the Portland Expo Center.

Nehalem Elementary competed in the K-5 division, finishing 5th out of 38 teams, with a total of 239 players competing. Tillamook Junior High and Neah-Kah-Nie Middle School competed in the 6-8 division, among 20 teams with a total of 124 players competing, playing five matches.

On Saturday, April 13, the following students competed in the individual competition, each playing five matches, with a total of 280 players:

K-5 Division:

• Hunter Gores - Nehalem

• Tavish Ware - Nehalem

• Eliot Rice - Nehalem

• Jerzy Golden - Nehalem - 3rd place winner

• David Hummel - Nehalem

• Damien Mickelson - East

6-8 Division:

• Draco Ng - East

• Aaron Anctil - NKN MS

• Talon Chodrick - TJHS

• Oliver Allen - TJHS

• Karson McNutt - NKN MS

• Malachi Lopez TJHS

9-13 Division:

• Karsten Johansen - NKN HS

A total of 25 HS individuals played five matches over two days.

We thank all the students and their coaches for their dedication to keeping the chess program active in their schools and qualifying to participate in the state tournament. We look forward to another great year of chess in our communities.