The TJ Library hosted a weeklong chess tournament begun by students with a twenty-dollar cash prize.
Photo by Ed Gloor
A rousing TJ student chess tournament begun on Monday, April 23rd came to the final championship this past Monday when the two finalists of the bracket competed in a battle of skill and wits, with Junior Pablo Rodriguez coming out on top. The tournament was a little over a week long, planned and organized by Librarian Michelle Jensen. “The students were the ones who came to me with the idea of a chess tournament. I have wanted to have a chess tournament for a while now, but was never really sure how to put it together, so I had delayed it. Once we got it started, however, it was very rewarding and exciting to watch all the kids come in and participate,” said Jensen.
There were a total of eight participants in the entire tournament who each had to pay a small entrance fee in order to play. The winner, Rodriguez, received a twenty-dollar cash prize. “I’ve played chess since I was a little kid, and I’m pretty darn good at it,” chuckled Rodriguez. “I definitely knew I had the skill to win the whole thing.”
Rodriguez’s victory did not come easy, as he went up against Freshman Mohammed Mohammed, who had won every previous match in his bracket, and ultimately received second place.
Chess has been a growing trend in the TJ halls for the past few years, with more students learning and becoming interested with the game. “It hasn’t just been those actually competing in the tournament who have been present, but also many interested spectating students as well,” said Jensen. “I’m hoping because of the growing popularity to get more involvement in the years to come. Next year I want to do two tournaments.”
The chess tournament was a great success, and the students said it was a fun way to end the year.
