As part of Columbus’s Fabulous Fourth celebration, young people from around the region gathered to play in a kids’ chess tourney at Stearns Gym.
Participants played five rounds of 15-minute games, and cash prizes were awarded in three categories of skill level.
In Class Three, where players could take back up to two moves per game, the third and second prizes, respectively, went to brothers Austin and Jacob Blair of Tryon, with first prize going to Dan Dougherty of Columbus.
In Class Two, where players could take back one move per game, John Dougherty took third prize, while second prize went to Boyce McCool of Landrum and first prize to Antonio Garcia of Columbus, who went undefeated.
In Class One, where players played by classical rules, Sebastian Streit of Green Creek took third prize, Benny McCraw of Mill Spring took second prize and Kenneth (Russell) Ruff of Mill Spring, also undefeated, took the grand prize.
Russell Ruff’s Big Sister, Lynne Parsons, helped him learn chess over the last few years. Ruff now helps Dr. Brian Crissey teach chess in the Serendipity Kids’ Ranch summer program.
Funds for cash prizes were raised by Ernest Giannini through the Tryon Kiwanis Club. Floor coverings to protect the new basketball floor were donated by Jack Campbell of Mimosa Carpet of Tryon. Chess boards and sets were donated by Lew Martin of Atlanta, and tables were provided by Parsons, with chairs from the Congregational Church of Tryon.
Patty Aldred, Polk County Recreation Department Director, allowed the use of Stearns Gym, and Crissey organized and conducted the event.
Crissey teaches chess on Friday afternoons over the summer as part of the Serendipity Kids’ Ranch summer program at Harmon Field and will also instruct in all Polk County elementary schools in the coming year, courtesy of a grant organized by Emily Bartlett of the Polk County Schools.
Anyone interested in donating time, funds or support, call Crissey at 828-894-8444.
– article submitted
by Brian Crissey