On a picture perfect spring day, this past Sunday, 139 children from Fairfield and Westchester counties assembled for the 8 th NECA Chess Tournament held at King Low Heywood Thomas School in Stamford. The rated chess tournament
hosted by NECA, National Educational Chess Association was their 8th
successful tournament. NECA, a Stamford based chess organization is headed up by Alex Eydelman, President with over 20 years of chess teaching was pleased with the outcome.
Participants ranged from grades K– 8 with trophies and medals presented to individual players as well as team trophies to groups that fielded 2 or more members from the same school. This tournament was a rated tournament and
thus sanctioned by the United States Chess Federation.
The United States Chess Federation is the recognized body governing the game of Chess in this country. Its ratings are world recognized. Players competing in rated tournaments are able to see how they fare against players throughout the
country with a nationally accepted standard.
The first place school was The Children School of Stamford scoring 12.5 points of a possible 16 points. Rounding out the top three were Hindley School from Darien and King School of Stamford. A total of 21 schools competed as teams.
Highlights of the tournament included a visit from chess Grand Master Sergey Kudrin, who graciously answered questions from the young players, gave autographs and afforded photo opportunities with up and coming chess players.
On the local front, Ethan Vayda, St Thomas Aquinas School in Fairfield finished
in First Place in the Elementary Novice Division and Eric Stein of Fairfield Country
Day School finished in First Place in Elementary Open Division.
