SM North chess team places second at home tournament

From+left+to+right%3A+freshman+Tim+Velasquez%2C+seniors+Stone+Hobbs%2C+Cameron+Finazzo%2C+Grace+Altenhofen+and+Johnny+Dinh+Phan.

From left to right: freshman Tim Velasquez, seniors Stone Hobbs, Cameron Finazzo, Grace Altenhofen and Johnny Dinh Phan.

The SM North chess team placed second at the tournament held at North on Feb. 9.

A total of eight teams participated, with 37 individual competitors. Senior Stone Hobbs placed third, tying with his previous personal best.

“Lots of ‘rooks’ came to play and the team just had fun competing for a lovely trophy poster,” Chess Club sponsor Dillon Simmons said. “And amazing coaching out there. Really dived in and taught our better players exactly how they could be the best.”

The state chess championship will be held March 9 in Emporia, Kansas.