Students shine at U.S. Chess SuperNationals contest in Orlando

     Two local chess teams performed well at the U.S. Chess SuperNationals Tournament held in Orlando from May 9 - 11. The tournament is a national chess competition for elementary, middle and high school teams, hosted by the United States Chess Federation and Chess Life online magazine.  

     This year, teams competed for several titles in their age ranges. The students of the game attended lectures from Chess Grandmasters, the highest title a chess player can attain. Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy competed in the high school unranked division. 

     “Out of ten teams from across the country, we finished in 4th Place, one point ahead of a strong team from New York City,” the school said in an email. 

      The newly-created Miami Lakes K-8 Center team competed in seven chess matches that weekend. They won 2nd Place in the nation; Patrick Hayden and Ivan Rodriguez received medals for 2nd and 20th Place overall, the school said.