Chess team ties for first at nationals

SAN BENITO — A group of high school students were quite busy on a recent weekend.

Chess team members from San Benito High School traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to compete in a national competition.

Two teams consisting of 11 students made a name for themselves during the tournament.

Students competing in the Under 1600 team were given the title of co-champions after tying for first place with a school in Michigan.

Students in the Under 1900 team tied for third place with a team in North Carolina.

District chess coordinator Jack Garcia said more than 40 teams across the nation were invited to compete.

“I’m extremely proud of them,” Garcia said. “They performed very well for their divisions and they got co-championship.”

Students on the team practice at least three days a week with their chess coach Yanira Vigoa.

“I think they did really well,” Vigoa said. “The tournament was really strong but I am proud.”

Garcia said the tournament was an opportunity to not only represent the Valley but the state of Texas as well.

“It’s been a process for them,” Garcia said. “To make the time and effort for their practices is very difficult at the high school level.”

Garcia said some students are already considered Grandmasters, the highest title a chess player can attain.

His goal is to help the other students reach that status.

“I’m also excited about the future because we’re losing three seniors but we have a good quality of sophomores and juniors coming back,” Garcia said.

High school senior and team captain Fabian Olivares has been playing chess for more than 10 years and began with the After School Program.

“I just love the game,” Olivares said. “I love winning.”

While Olivares feels he personally could have done better, he was happy with how his team performed.

“As a team we did pretty well,” Olivares said. “Everybody did their job. We did good.”