Reed Intermediate School and St Rose of Lima School students took part in the first interscholastic chess tournament between the two schools Thursday, May 28 at the Reed School.

The tournament was organized by Reed fifth grade math and science teacher and chess club advisor Rich Neeb and Glenn Budzinski, who runs the after-school chess program at St Rose and coaches the Chess Team and Club for both St Rose and Danbury High School.

The matches were determined by the skill of the players, with the opponents switching as the games ended. There were 21 students in attendance from grades 5 to 8. But it wasn’t all competitive, as the players helped each other during their matches.

“It’s a game,” said Mr Budzinski. “The kids love it.”

Opponents talked through their process, helping the other to improve their game.

Preston DeLeo, a sixth grader at St Rose who has been playing for three years, and his opponent Colton Stergue, a sixth grader from Reed who has been playing for roughly a year, offered assistance to each other between moves.

“Schools in Newtown really never get together for friendly competitions like this,” said Mr Budzinski. “It’s really quite historic.”

Reed sixth grader Amid Qazi, has been playing for seven years after being taught the game by his mother.

“Chess is fun,” said Amid. “I like that there’s a lot of thinking.”

“It’s a young person’s game,” said Mr Budzinksi. “It’s a skill game only. Chess is math, math is chess.”

Having the schools compete adds a different element, Mr Neeb said.

“It’s a great game of skill and thought,” said Mr Neeb. “…They’re always excited to play, and the kids were really excited about competing together, even just within our own club.”

With the success of the May 28 tournament, both teachers said they are hoping to make this a regular occurrence in the fall for the next school year.

Reed students who participated in the match were Matthew Maher, Kenny Canfield, Amid Qazi, Emery Mygodney, Dillon Diaspro, Kaden Thompson, RJ Figueroa, Tanner Genc, Marcus Graffeo, Thai Sapenter, Zack Freedman, Brendan Boyle, and Colton Stergue.

St Rose students who participated in the match were Preston DeLeo, Cayman Chacchia, Torin Kearney, James Mok, Logan McAloon, Peyton McKenzie, Adhiraj Katoch, and Joseph Doherty.