Three teams of Lower School Ravens competed at the N.C. K-12 Chess Championship, organized by Triangle Chess and held Feb. 10-12 at the Raleigh Convention Center, with the K-1 team taking first place overall and all three teams placing in the top four of their respective divisions. 

The tournament has both an individual and a team component, allowing students to shine and support one another in their quest for excellence.

The K-1 team was bolstered by first-grader Asher Kirschbaum’s individual first-place overall finish in the division and strong performances by fellow first-graders Theodore Brandon and Briggs Deibel and kindergartener Aiden Udani.  

Second-grader Landis Allen was the sole K-2 player in Day 1 of the tournament, but with K-1 in the books Asher, Theo and Briggs reinforced the K-2 team, leading to a fourth-place division placing. Third-grader Dao Tan earned three points to lead the K-3 team on their way to taking an overall third. Dao was joined by fellow third-graders Olivia Marlowe, Max Kirschbaum, Alex McCleary, Charlotte Brandon and Keating Deibel.  

The students’ involvement is an outgrowth of the Lower School Chess Academy, a program through Ravenscroft’s Auxiliary Services that is led by Dragon Knight Chess. Students meet once a week during the fall and spring sessions.

The powerhouse girls of the K-3 division are looking forward to a strong showing on Saturday, March 18, when Ravenscroft hosts the N.C. K-12 Girls State Championship, which is open to all female chess players in those age groups. The event is organized by Dragon Knight Chess and takes place in Cox Court. Members of the Ravenscroft community are encouraged to come out and show their support.