2009 Texas Scholastic Chess Tournament

The McAllen Convention Center was the site for this year's
State Scholastic Chess Tournament. San Benito ISD did an awesome
job organizing the large event. Everything was done just right!
Lots of parking, good music, and the area with lots of points of

interest: food, shopping, and just pure fun. The whole staff,

tournament directors, and pairing directors did a fantastic job.

For the Royal Knights, this weekend was just one more opportunity to
battle for the TROPHY and the honor of joining the state's best
chess players at the end of the tournament as WINNERS.
Kinder-First Division (155 players)
Jesus Guillen, Jr. --------Parades----8th place--------5.5 points
Fernando Montanaro-----Parades----9th place--------5.5 points
Mateo Ramirez-----------Martin-----20th place-------5.0 points
Jorge A. Mares-----------El Jardin---21th place-------5.0 points
Jesus A. Martinez, Jr.----Elgy--------28th place-------4.5 points
Amalur E. Trevino-------Parades-----66th place------4.0 points
Elizabeth Guajardo-------Parades-----68th place------4.0 points
Hailey Obregon----------Ortiz--------75th place------3.5 points

Primary Championship (92 players)
Sarai Guillen-------------Elgy---------22th place------4.5 points

Primary JV (141 players)
Melissa Medina----------Yturri-------12th place------5.0 points

Marc A. Guzman---------Ortiz--------24th place------5.0 points
Andres Hernandez-------Parades----28th place-------4.5 points
Policarpio Mora--------Morningside--35th place-------4.5 points
Xavier Torres-----------El Jardin-----57th place-------4.5 points

Elementary Championship (135 players)
Christian Muraira-------Castanada----11th place-------5.5 points
Victoria Mortera---------Elgy---------19th place-------5.0 points

Elementary JV (154 players)
Marrissa A. Flores------Yturri--------39th place-------4.5 points
Daniel Errisuriz---------Parades------90th place-------3.0 points
Middle School Championship (102 players)

Daniel Soto, Jr.----------LFResaca----34th place-------4.0 points

Nathan Smith-----------WCent-------75th place-------3.0 points

High School Championship (133 players)
Philip R. Martinez------Porter--------15th place------5.0 points

*

Trophies were awarded to the top 20 chess players of every division

Medals were then awarded to chess players placing 21st - 30th
Awesome job Royal Knights at State and all the best to you at

NATIONALS!!! NASHVILLE, here comes the Royal Knights!!!

State Tournament at McAllen

Best Wishes to the Royal Knights this weekend at
Texas Scholastic Chess Tournament. I know you all
will do awesome. You have done the drills, practice
your openings, and worked on the winning endgame
skills. Now all you have to do is listen to my lectures
while you are playing during each round---
"don't move until you see it."
Trust the Chess Theory and SUCCESS will be yours.
Here's to the Champions: the Royal Knights!

Ortiz Chess Tournament

A sunny morning with just the right amount of wind creates
an awesome start to a chess tournament. The Royal Knights
once again with victory on their minds, came to Ortiz Elementary
Saturday, March 7, 2009 to position themselves among the
Valley's best chess players and take home a trophy.
1. e4 and The Royal Knights were off to a good start. Controling
the center with knights and bishops was the first thing on their
minds and then the attacks on their opponent's king began. After
their pieces were developed, the Rooks came charging toward
the 7th rank with ideas of CHECKMATE.
The Royal Knights did a great job. In fact, Jesus Guillen went
undefeated with a score of 5 points and became Co-Champion.
Fernando Montanaro, Jorge A. Mares, Alexis Marques,
Damian Tabares, Sarai Guillen, and Nathan A. Smith
all won 4 points placing them in the top 8 places or better.
I am so proud of you Royal Knights. Good victories are waiting
for you at State. I know you will be successful.