The Hillsboro Chess Guild competed in four tournament between Dec. 19 and Feb. 6. The following summaries of each tournament were submitted by Leah Rose, guild sponsor.
? Concordia, Feb. 6: The Concordia Chess Tourna?ment was one of the best for the team this year. All Hills?boro players won at least three of their six games, including newcomer Jason Latham, who turned in his best performance of the year.
All team members placed among the top 10 in their respective divisions, and Jacob Denholm came home as the K-8 Division champion.
Kayla Gunn and Matthew Denholm, as a team of only two, still earned a third-place team trophy for their combined efforts.
K-5 Division: Zachary Den?holm, eighth place.
K-8 Division: Jacob Den?holm, first; Jason Latham, 17th.
K-12 Division: Matthew Denholm, third; Kayla Gunn, 10th. Team: third.
? Wichita, Jan. 16: The Wichita North Chess Tour?na?ment was probably the toughest tournament for the K-12 division this season. Jacob Denholm played up to the K-12 division, both to take on a new challenge and to help fill out a team.
While the team did not earn a trophy, it had a strong fifth-place finish, even without being a full four-person team. Both Denholm brothers played well against strong competition, earning medals in the top 15.
Kayla Gunn also had a good day, but missed earning a medal by one place.
K-12 Division: Matthew Denholm, 11th; Jacob Den?holm, 14th; Kayla Gunn: 26th. Team: fifth.
? Wichita, Jan. 9: Brooks Middle School hosted the grade championships, which bring students from across the state to be named champion of their grade level, rather than the normal divisions. Overall, the Hillsboro Chess Guild had a good day against some top competition. Only the top 10 in each grade level receive medals.
Fifth grade: Zachary Denholm, fifth.
Eighth grade: Jacob Denholm, third; Abby Fryhover, seventh; Jason Latham, did not medal.
Ninth grade: Kayla Gunn, fifth.
12th grade: Matthew Denholm, third; Jordan Fryhover fifth; Kalen Moss, seventh.
? Lindsborg, Dec. 19: This year, all Hillsboro students played in the scholastic division of the Linds?borg Open. In order to have a full team for team scores, Abby Fry?hover and Jason Latham played up into the K-12 division. Franklin Jost earned his first individual trophy by placing third.
K-12 Division: Jason Latham, 11th; Abby Fry?hover, eighth; Kayla Gunn, sixth; Franklin Jost, third. Team: second.
