By Chuck Handlon, Secretary / Treasurer Rochester Area Scholastic Chess League March 9, 2024.

The Century HS Varsity Chess Team achieved the highest placement in its 24-year history at the Minnesota State Chess Association 2024 K – 12 Scholastic Tournament. Century finished second with 18 points, just shy of defending champion Eastview HS which gained 20.5 points. But it was not just Century’s accomplishment that highlighted the trophy ceremony. Rochester Public Schools chess awards permeated the entire tournament. Dakota Middle School finished third in the K – 8 division and Ben Franklin Elementary achieved second in the K – 5 division. 

The tournament was held at the University of St. Thomas March 8^th & 9^th where over 300 students in grades K – 12 competed in seven rounds of chess. Players obtain one point for a win and one-half point for a draw.

In addition to the team trophies, several Rochester players attained individual recognition. Logan Anderson, a Ben Franklin student, placed 15^th overall in the K – 5 group. In the K – 8 division Johan Myburgh from Kellogg placed 5^th in the under 1000 United State Chess Federation (USCF) rating group. Josh Wang, also from Kellogg, placed 10^th overall. Calder Nguyen, an 8^th grader at Dakota, placed second. Calder qualified for the playoff between the top six K – 8 finishers which will occur in April. The winner will be the Minnesota representative to the National K – 8 Championship. 

The individual winners in the high school cohort include two Century players. Freshman Cole Lappi was 5^th in the under 1300 USCF rating while senior Jayan Jayachandran was first. Lourdes sophomore Joseph Bell was fourth in the same rating. Mayo freshman Isaac Sellon took 7^th place overall in the high school section.

At the tournament awards ceremony, recognition was also given to teams and individuals which participated in the 2023 – 24 Minnesota High School Chess League (MHSCL) online competition. Century’s Jayan Jayachandran was the top point getter on Board 2. The All RASCL (Rochester Area Scholastic Chess League) team composed of four Century players took third place overall. 

For more information contact RASCL Secretary Chuck Handlon chuckwheelerhandlon@gmail.com and go to https://www.postbulletin.com/news/local/century-high-school-earns-strongest-chess-score-in-its-24-year-history