This year has been the most competitive Metro Area Chess League since we brought the competition back in 2021. Two dozen public, private and charter schools from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Northern Virginia are matching wits to try to earn one of the available four playoff berths at the end of the spring.
Three-quarters of the way through the regular season, Langley High School (McLean, VA) have separated themselves from the chasing pack, having won all 6 of their matches and scoring 20.5 out of a possible 24 board points. League newcomers Chantilly High School (Chantilly, VA) have been their closest competition with 5 match points out of 6 — their only loss coming against Langley in a close 1.5-2.5 decision in Round 4.
Behind them, MACL debutants Jackson-Reed High School from northwest D.C. and two-time defending champions Montgomery Blair High School from Silver Spring, MD are tied on 4.5 match points and would get the final two playoff spots if the season ended right now. But with Oakton, Richard Montgomery and Magruder all in close contention just outside the top four, we expect a close race to the finish.
| School Team | Match Points | Board Points (tiebreaker) |
|---|---|---|
| Langley | 6 | 20.5 |
| Chantilly | 5 | 19 |
| Jackson-Reed | 4.5 | 16.5 |
| Montgomery Blair | 4.5 | 16.5 |
| Oakton | 4 | 16.5 |
| Richard Montgomery | 4 | 15.5 |
| Magruder | 4 | 14.5 |
| Poolesville | 4 | 13.5 |
| Don Bosco Cristo Rey | 3 | 13 |
| Arlington Career Center | 3 | 12.5 |
| McLean | 3 | 12.5 |
| Gonzaga | 3 | 12 |
| St. Anselm’s | 3 | 12 |
| West Springfield | 3 | 12 |
| Rochambeau | 3 | 11.5 |
| McKinley Tech | 3 | 11 |
| Bishop McNamara | 2.5 | 10 |
| Georgetown Prep | 2.5 | 9.5 |
| Hayfield | 2 | 10 |
| Rockville | 2 | 9.5 |
| DeMatha | 2 | 9 |
| E.L. Haynes | 1.5 | 8 |
| BASIS DC | 1.5 | 7 |
| St. Albans | 1.5 | 6 |
| Girls Global Academy | 1 | 4 |
| St. John’s | 1 | 1 |
| Marshall | 0 | 0 |