On November 21, Cypress Falls students gathered to compete in the school chess tournament, where strategy, focus, and friendly rivalry filled the room. The event gave members of the chess club a chance to showcase their skills while strengthening bonds off the board.

The tournament was an exciting challenge for ninth grader Kingston Nguyen, who was confident in his abilities going in.

“I was expecting it. I’m confident in my abilities,” Nguyen said.

Not every match was easy, though. Nguyen noted that the finals presented the toughest challenge.

“The finals were the hardest because of the pressure,” Nguyen said.

Chess is a game of uncertainty, and Nguyen admitted there’s never a guaranteed victory.

“You’re never for sure. In a game of chess, anything can happen,” Nguyen said.

Nguyen has been playing chess for just over six months, a journey that began as part of occupational therapy to improve fine motor skills. Despite the short time, he’s embraced an aggressive play style, believing that taking the initiative increases chances of winning.

“I just like to play aggressive and not passive, because if you’re aggressive, it’s easier to win,” Nguyen said.

Participation in the chess club has not only sharpened Nguyen’s tactical skills but also helped him make new friends.

“It has taught me how to spot things better, like tactics, and it also just helps me meet new people,” Nguyen said.

For Nguyen, the best part of the club is simply playing a game he loves.

“Just being able to play the game that I love,” Nguyen said.

Other club members had equally memorable experiences. Joshua Morgan said placing in the tournament was a surprise, but he enjoyed competing against friends and seeing familiar faces in the competition.

“I didn’t practice that much, but it was fun to play some of my friends who also did well,” Morgan said. 

He recalled the toughest match being the semifinals against Jacob Norris, where unexpected moves made the game especially challenging.

For Norris, the tournament was his first ever, and finishing third exceeded his expectations.

“I was not expecting it, because I recently joined,” Norris said. 

Norris started playing chess in sixth grade after seeing friends play, though he had taken a break for a few years before returning. He enjoys practicing with chess puzzles to prepare for tournaments and hopes to see the club grow and host larger competitions in the future.

The tournament brought the club together, highlighting the joy of strategy, teamwork, and shared passion for the game. Students left the event not only with awards and rankings but with memories of camaraderie and the thrill of a well-played match.

Nguyen summed it up best “Just to love the game.”