Story and photo by the Sparta Independant
The Sparta Team
SPARTA — The Sparta Chess Club returned from the National Scholastic Chess Championships with a total of eight team awards, and ten players receiving individual recognition. The tournament, held in Nashville, Tennessee drew over 5200 players representing 1500 plus teams from 47 states and the military.
Leading the way was the K-5 team that placed third. The team lead their division after the second and third rounds, and finished with a perfect final round, and a record of 21-7.
The team of Lucas Rendina, Timothy and Jonathan Lee, Sam Esposito, Glen McNamara, Brian Smith and Vaiden Pollard also placed ninth in the Blitz event, where players have a total of five minutes to make all of their moves.
Rendina won six of seven games in the main event, and the Lee brothers won five each. Sparta played more difficult opposition than the winning team from NYC during the event. A team from St Paul, Minnesota was second.
The two Middle School teams placed 12th and 14th paced by the play of Lizzy Wolfe, and Tyler Struble. The Middle Schoolers also placed ninth in the Blitz event. Anthony Esposito, Keith Johnson, and Ryan Ryersen also added to the effort.
The Varsity High school Team placed 16th led by Adam Banatt.
Adam had only one loss, and the team improved four notches over last year. Florida Divine Savior, IS318 from NYC, and Christian Brothers Academy from Lincroft took the top three places.
Adam was aided by Eryk Banatt, and Ian Clark
Outstanding play from AJ Thomas and Colin Casey vaulted the JV Team to eighth place in their section.
Teams from Missouri took the first four places. The team members were Thomas, Kyra Schluter, Dylan Richards and Casey.
The combined teams placed 23rd in the High School Blitz event.
The team is continually looking for sponsors and donations to maintain this quality program. Contact Tom Murray at 973-726-9405 if interested.
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