Homeschoolers make strong showing in chess tourney
By Andrew Huffman
Chattanooga-area homeschool students have just completed a stellar season of chess competition at regional, 
statewide, and national tournaments, with very strong showings at all levels. Considering that this was their first venture into structured team competition, the CSTHEA “Capstone Ragin’ Rooks” demonstrated very good sportsmanship and character, strong chess skills, and excellent team spirit and strategy.
The CSTHEA 7th-9th grade team took first place in the Tennessee Region 2 competition, culminating in a sudden-death timed playoff match against the Crossville homeschool team. Clocks whirred, fists banged, pieces flew and referees punctuated the intense atmosphere with their curt rulings and comments, all while a large huddle of onlookers watched with bated breath until the final announcement “Chattanooga wins!” Who knew that chess could be an exciting spectator sport? The team consisted of Jonathan Warren, Ruth Hinchman, Trevor Sharpe, Seth Huffman and Annabelle Huffman. Justin Lohr came in to pinchhit in the final playoff match and helped push the team over the top. They went on to the state team tournament two weeks later, placing 6th in the field of all the best teams from across Tennessee.
The CSTHEA 4th-6th grade team, including Kyle Sharpe, Samuel Hinchman, Peter Zeglen, Luke Plaisted, Priscilla Huffman, and Adelaide Huffman, tied for second place in its division at the regional competition, and also went on to play well at the state tournament. The 1st-3rd grade A & B teams, comprising Justin Lohr, Nathan Lohr, Bryant Lohr, Joshua Simmons, Joel Huffman, Gideon Lohr, Noah Huffman, and Lillian Sharpe, did extremely well, emerging the undefeated A-team victor at regionals, and continuing on to an outstanding second place finish in statewide competition.
The chess club brought home multiple trophies, wonderful memories, and a wealth of newfound experience. Private and public schools from the Chattanooga area and from all over the state competed in these events, and the Chattanooga homeschool teams held their own quite convincingly.
Many of these team players also played separately in individual competition with very good results. (Were you aware that Chattanooga homeschooler Philip Hinchman is a recurring statewide high school chess champion?)
Alan Kantor of the U.S. Chess Federation, along with many parents, helped coach our group toward these noteworthy achievements. Mr. Kantor commented, “This has been the greatest team that I have coached for in terms of camaraderie or togetherness since I coached a team in New York to take second place in the Nationals. Everyone worked together so well and you all have so much promise.”
It won’t be long until the 2010 competition season begins, so come join us and help us do even better next year! We meet weekly during the school year, and hope to meet at least monthly during the summer also. For more information about the CSTHEA Capstone Chess Club, contact organizer Jeannette Lohr (423-842-6724, capstonechess@yahoo.com) or coach Andrew Huffman (423-227-3590, huffmanhouse@gmail.com), or look for us at the big curriculum fair.
Why play chess? The benefits are too many to fully enumerate here, but many studies and anecdotes show that playing chess improves overall academic performance and skills related to reading, math, critical thinking, problem solving, logic, memory, concentration, imagination, creativity, independence, and confidence. Besides, it’s fun.