LDMS Knights Take K-6 at University School!

The USM K-6 Rulers

When we saw that the University School of Milwaukee chess team was throwing 16 kids into the K-6 division, we knew we had our work cut out for us, and decided to put all 8 of our kids into K-6, rather than pull 2 or three into K-9 as we had thought earlier. USM was gunning for us, I think, because we had taken the first place team and player trophy last year while at Mill Valley. Ironically, all 8 of our team were at Mill Valley last year. Also ironically, the USM tournament is run this year by the brand-new WSCA chess association, headed by former Mill Valley coach Greg Reese! We decided to pull the team together as one and see what we could do.

It was a tough task. Here was our roster. Rachel and Brady were unrated, never having played in a USCF-rated event before.

1. Evan 1387
2. Reid 965
3. Chris 943
4. Kolt 582
5. Brian 485
6. Josh 440
7. Rachel ---
8. Brady ---

The USM school had the following:

1. Andrew B. 1131
2. Sam S. 939
3. John V. 917
4. Charlie B. 911
5. Dakota D. 892
6. Yaseen N. 800
7. Michael K. 692
8. Plus 9 more unrated players

The way the tournament works is, the top four scores from each team are counted. We started out well enough in the first round, going 5-3, tied with USM at 4 points each. Then we had a tough second round, and only two players were 2-0. USM had four at 2-0. We had a great third round, going 6-2 and took a half-point lead which we held until round 5. In round five, we went 4-3-1, and our top four players either lost or drew! It seemed like we were completely out of it at that time. We were down 1.5, 14.5 to USM's 16.0. In round 6, we went 5-2-1, including some very important wins by Brian and Brady to bring their records to 4-2.

Would it be enough? Just barely!!!!

Evan said "I think the people who really stepped up were Brady and Brian. They haven't played in a while, but they got back on track to where they used to be!"

Actually, the entire team stepped up. None of the kids on our 8-person team had a losing record! Evan had 5 points, Reid 4.5, Brady and Brian had 4. Chris T. had 3.5, and Josh, Kolt and Rachel had 3 each.

Way to go LDMS Knights! I will post some pictures later today!