The March 31 "Easter Rapids" online chess tournament marked a significant day for the CDA Chess Club, showcasing our community's talent and competitive spirit. The event was split into two sections based on player ratings, which provided a leveled playing field for all participants. In the under 1200 category, John S., playing as Slumdog4, emerged victorious, clinching the trophy by winning all three matches—a commendable feat. Payton A. (PayPay2010), participating in his first online tournament, secured a respectable second place with 2 points. Michael D. (Bodenzo) completed the podium in third place, earning 1 point. This tournament also welcomed Brennan (BrennanLoewe2014) to his first event, marking his entry onto the club ladder. Over in the 1200+ segment, the competition was fierce, with Steve D. (twotacky1), Sam C. (Sam4MarsMayor), and Mike O. (Frosty1228) each securing 2 points after a series of challenging games. The tie was decisively broken by evaluating the p...

  April 1st unfurled an evening unlike any other at the NIC Cafeteria, the battlefield for our revered chess club's much-anticipated event: Deon's Bracketology. Amid the buzz of excitement and the strategic musings of our players, this one-night playoff was meant to shuffle ranks, challenge intellects, and celebrate the grandeur of chess in its raw form. The event, crafted from Deon's visionary mind, aimed not just at competition but at weaving camaraderie and mastery of chess within the hearts of each participant. With an unexpected turnout of six steadfast players, the night pulsated with rapid matches, decisive victories, and displays of true chess sportsmanship. While the dream of a grand tournament was scaled down, the event's essence—its throbbing pulse of competition and fellowship—was magnificently alive. Hat's off to Deon, our esteemed chess curator, who orchestrated this unique event and emerged victorious in both his games. It was a night witnessing the d...

Guess what? Serena Grace just totally rocked the world of journalism and chess by becoming a published author! 🌟 Yeah, you heard that right! She was all over the Idaho State Scholastic Chess Tournament, not missing a beat. Serena was like a detective, keeping notes on all the incredible and intense moments during the event. She then turned her detective diary into a killer press release that got picked up by the CDA Press. No joke, they published her article without changing a single word. How cool is that? Also, a major shoutout to our chess champs – Leo Grace from kindergarten crushing it, first grader Milo Davis showing them how it's done, Sophia Grace making second grade proud, and our club alum Lucy Bell taking third grade by storm. These guys are like the Avengers of chess, each bringing their superpower to the board. Serena's talent is as immense as her heart, and it’s inspiring to see one of our own achieve something extraordinary. Her work spotlighted our incredible c...