Checkmate: BC chess team dominates

BC+Chess+team+students+Sabrina+Huang+%28%E2%80%9819%29%2C++Alena+Huang+%28%E2%80%9818%29%2C+Tinglin+Shi+%28%E2%80%9818%29%2C+and+Nikhil+James+%28%E2%80%9818%29++gather+with+their+trophies+at+a+chess+tournament.

BC Chess team students Sabrina Huang (‘19), Alena Huang (‘18), Tinglin Shi (‘18), and Nikhil James (‘18) gather with their trophies at a chess tournament.

March 17-18, Brookfield Central took its talents to the 2017 State Scholastic Championship, held at UW Oshkosh. There are six categories to compete in: K-5, K-8, JV, Division 3, Division 2, and Division 1; the Lancers competed in Division 1. It was a grueling two days during which Brookfield Central went up against perennial juggernauts Madison West High, Madison Memorial High, University School, and Brookfield Academy.
Nevertheless, the BC team surpassed expectations and came away with 3rd place out of 16 teams. Overall, the Lancers garnered three points out of five from resounding victories against Franklin, Madison Memorial, and University Schools. However, Central narrowly lost against both Madison West and Brookfield Academy, with West taking the title.

The tournament format was held as follows: members of each team are placed into five boards, usually by chess ability. Brookfield Central’s team in board order consisted of Tinglin Shi (‘18), Nikhil James (‘18), Alena Huang (‘18), Sabrina Huang (‘19), and Taral Jella (‘19). Alena Huang and Tinglin Shi both scored higher than three points, receiving a medal for their efforts. For the second year in a row, James became co-champion of Board 2, sporting a score of four out of five. Overall, it was a very good showing for the city of Brookfield: Burleigh Elementary took clear first in the K-5 Championship Section, Brookfield Academy managed fourth place in Division 1, and Pilgrim Park took second in the K-8 Championship Section.

The BC team reflected positively on the experience. Alena Huang said, “Oshkosh is always fun because it’s very competitive between the schools. I also love to play and meet other high schoolers from all over Wisconsin.” Based on their performance this year, the Brookfield Central chess team will undoubtedly reach greater heights in the future.