The Evanston Chess Team had a fantastic weekend finishing with a 5-1-1 record at the IHSA State Chess Tournament and coming in 7th (out of 146) overall. They were originally seeded 15th, so they exceeded expectations.

The team’s only loss was to the State Champion Whitney Young Team and they drew Northside College Prep.

The players were one of the best groups the team has taken in recent years, cooperative, supportive of each other, respectful of other teams and helpful to each other and the coaches! They made it a very enjoyable trip. The seniors on the team showed great leadership and really helped everyone play their best.

Several of the matches were closer than the points indicate. The team had big scores vs Harvard, Peoria Richwoods and Tinley Park Andrew. Last round on Friday was a tight loss to Whitney. Saturday saw the team with big scores vs Cary Grove and University High Urbana and ending the weekend with a come from behind Draw vs Northside.

The team, collectively, had the third most points of any school at the event.

Individual results

Board 1 Senior Nathan Holzmueller 5-1-1 12th Place
Considering how many top teams they faced, this is a great result!.
Board 2 Frosh J. Liam O’Carrol 5-1-1 8th Place

Board 3 Soph Oliver Brady 5-2-0 14th Place

Board 4 Junior Nate Tracy-Amoroso 4-3 42nd Place

Board 5 Senior Ian Seegers 6-0-1 UNDEFEATED!! 4th Place!!

Board 6 Senior Jay Magiera 5-0-2 Also UNDEFEATED 5th Place!!

Board 7 Senior David Wolff 3-2-1 shared with
Junior Alec Jacobson 1-0-0

Board 8 Junior Riley Wilson 1-1-0 shared with
Junior Evan Franchere 3-1-1

Frosh Nick Marcotte and Dhruva Mohnalkar They did not get a chance to play but did go 2-1 against other teams sub players in practice matches.

With 4 Seniors on the team, the experience the alternate players got will help them prepare for next season.