BVNW hosted the Blue Valley Northwest Chess Classic today. Schools from around the area competed against each other as individuals and by school. The BVNW team took 2nd place overall, scoring 15.5 points, losing by one point to Erie High School.

“In this tournament we did well; we beat Rockhurst, which is one of our rivals, and this is the first trophy we’ve won this year,” BVNW chess club sponsor C.J. Armenta said.

Three individuals from the BVNW team placed in the K-12 division, including senior Garrett Pieper, taking 6th place with 4.5 points; sophomore John Tran, taking 8th place with 4 points; and junior Avery Mojica, taking 10th place with 4.5 points. 

“Everyone did the best that they could,” Tran said. “It’s really all anyone could have asked for.”

Timur Gareev, the North American Open chess champion in 2012, handed out the awards.

“He’s a grandmaster which is the top level you can get in chess,” Armenta said. “He’s from Uzbekistan and he’s here with the Karpov Chess School.”

Armenta said the BVNW team is hoping to take 4th or 5th place at the state tournament.