NHS Student Takes On Ten Competitors

In Chess Tournament

By Eliza Hallabeck

Ten chessboards lined a stretch of tables in the Newtown High School lobby Friday, January 16, as Haotian Zheng prepared to face ten competitors in a chess tournament.

Haotian, a senior at the school, said he has been playing chess for roughly three years. He is also a member of the Chess Club at the school.

The chessboards were provided for the Peer Leadership sponsored Fun Friday event by NHS teacher Steve Mallory. Dr Mallory also helped Haotian set up the boards before the event began.

 NHS students Kyle O’Connor, Tom Mascher, Arnold Geng, Nate Crevier, Evan Batzer, Dan Greenwood, Chris Parker, Matt Pruner, Chris Procaccini, and Andrew Lamarche participated as Haotian’s challengers. No girls stepped up to challenge Haotian for the event, but it was open to all students.

The first person to beat Haotian was offered a $50 prize, and that prize was offered to Haotian if no one could defeat him. The first player to be defeated by Haotian would be given a T-shirt that read “I’m With Stupid,” and had an arrow pointing up.

After the boards were set up the competition began.

Before long a number of chants were going around including, “you lost your queen,” which was not directed at Haotian.

“For those of you who like this kind of action,” Dr Mallory said while announcing the meeting schedule of the Chess Club, “this is what we have whenever Haotian shows up.”

NHS teacher Eugene Hall and Guidance Counselor Jeff Tolson, who both monitor the Fun Friday events, made commentary about the chess tournament from the audience. Students and a few faculty members formed a circle around the event.

Evan Batzer was the first student to lose against Haotian, and he was given the T-shirt as a consolation prize.

Haotian played by starting at one end of the table and working his way down for each consecutive turn.

“There’s a nice crowd sticking around to see who will take this,” said Mr Tolson.

When six students remained against Haotian, Mr Tolson said, “everyone is just holding their breath and waiting.”

One after the other, each of Haotian’s competitors lost their games to Haotian, and when the last game was over Haotian was named the winner of the Fun Friday Chess Tournament.