Rutherford County, TN – The highly anticipated Rutherford County Schools Chess Series kicked off with an exciting start as students from across the county came together to showcase their strategic skills and passion for chess. The opening tournament set the stage for a competitive season, with thrilling match-ups and inspiring moments of teamwork and sportsmanship. 

While only a handful of players participated in the game of wit this time, many parents and educators hope to see the number of players grow in the near future. That said, there has been considerable discussion about making chess a more essential game for students of all ages to master in the local schools.

The inaugural chess match last school year took place this past April and was titled, "Tournament of Rutherford County High School Chess Champions." The event in Murfreesboro first unfolded at Patterson Park. That competition saw a Swiss-style format to up the ante for the intellectual prowess of the players.

Highlights from the Opening Tournament this Year:

• Oakland High (Nang Khai) vs. Blackman High (Youssef Mekhail): Congratulations to Youssef Mekhail, a senior at Blackman, for securing a win in this hard-fought match. Youssef has been honing his chess skills since grade school and proved to be a formidable player in this exciting contest.

• Riverdale High (Makyah Porterfield) vs. Smyrna High (Atticus Hiott): A big round of applause to Atticus Hiott, a sophomore at Smyrna, who secured the win for his school. Atticus enjoys the intellectual challenge that chess brings, and his performance demonstrated impressive tactical insight.

Also representing Riverdale at the tournament were Hunter Smith and Connor Smillen, showing great support for their teammates.

The tournament was graciously hosted by Mr. Truax, Riverdale’s chess sponsor, who commented on the event: “It’s exciting to see such enthusiasm for chess in our schools! The students are passionate, and it’s wonderful to witness their critical thinking and sportsmanship in action.”

Upcoming Tournaments:

• November 9th, 2024: The next tournament will be hosted by Oakland High, with Mr. Haynes serving as the sponsor. Students from across the county will gather to continue their quest for victory in this friendly but competitive series.

Leaderboard and Standings: Standings will be updated after each tournament, with a final winner crowned at the end of the series. Keep an eye out for leaderboard updates as students continue to challenge each other on the board!