League
Montgomery Blair Retains Metro Area Chess League Title
- by Chess Center
The Metro Area Chess League playoffs for the 2022-2023 season have concluded. Just like last year, the championship was decided in a quadrangular round-robin tournament with the top four schools from the regular season, and like last year, Montgomery Blair High School (Silver Spring, MD) edged out Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, MD) to take the title, with Richard Montgomery finishing as runners-up.
Gonzaga College High School of northwest Washington defeated Arlington Career Center (Arlington, VA) in their individual match to take third place, and also earn the award for the top DC school this year. Congratulations to all four playoff teams on their outstanding seasons!



Playoff Standings
1. Montgomery Blair High School (2.5 match points)
2. Richard Montgomery High School (2 match points)
3. Gonzaga College High School (1 match point)
4. Arlington Career Center (0.5 match points)
Elementary Team League 2022-23 Matchday 8 Results
- by Chess Center
The final matchday of this year’s Elementary Team League wrapped up earlier today. At the end of a close race for the season championship, Spring Hill Elementary took the title ahead of Churchill Road, who settled for the runner-up spot. White Oaks swept both of their matches by 4-0 scores to earn the final spot on the podium. Congratulations to the winners!
We’re grateful to St. Luke’s for providing the venue and tables for most of the matchdays this year, and thankful to the over 200 students from 12 schools who took part in the League this year. Playing in the ETL helps these students build the skills and confidence to represent their schools in strong tournaments. With the national elementary school championships being staged later this year in Baltimore, we anticipate some of these students will be taking part.




Round 15 Results
Westbriar 1-3 Spring Hill
Churchill Road 0-4 White Oaks
Poplar Tree 3.5-0.5 Kent Gardens
Colvin Run 4-0 Ravensworth
Orange Hunt 0-4 Greenbriar West
Willow Springs 3-0 Lorton Station
Round 16 Results
Greenbriar West 2-2 Westbriar
Spring Hill 3.5 – 0.5 Colvin Run
Ravensworth 2-2 Willow Springs
Lorton Station 2-0 Orange Hunt
White Oaks 4-0 Poplar Tree
Kent Gardens 1-3 Churchill Road
Final Team Standings After Matchday 8
Spring Hill 196
Churchill Road 184
White Oaks 176
Greenbriar West 174
Kent Gardens 164
Colvin Run 154
Westbriar 153
Willow Springs 153
Lorton Station 128
Poplar Tree 126
Ravensworth 88
Orange Hunt 85
Elementary Team League 2022-23 Matchday 7 Results
- by Chess Center
This season of the Elementary Team League is in the homestretch and last Saturday’s matches again drew a near-maximum turnout. Churchill Road won an important match against leaders Spring Hill and is now just a single point behind heading into the final day of matches. Third place Kent Gardens is also still in with a chance but would need results in the top two schools’ matches to go their way in order to catch up.
The final matches are on Saturday, March 25 and all of our after-school chess club members are welcome to sign up to join in the fun. If your child is interested in participating, please reach out to their school club instructor.




Round 13 Results
Lorton Station 1-3 Greenbriar West
Westbriar 2-1 White Oaks
Ravensworth 2-2 Kent Gardens
Colvin Run 2-2 Orange Hunt
Churchill Road 4-0 Poplar Tree
Willow Springs 1-3 Spring Hill
Round 14 Results
Poplar Tree 3-0 Westbriar
White Oaks 3-1 Colvin Run
Greenbriar West 2-2 Willow Springs
Orange Hunt 1-2 Ravensworth
Kent Gardens 3-1 Lorton Station
Spring Hill 1-3 Churchill Road
Team Standings After Matchday 7
Spring Hill 167
Churchill Road 166
Kent Gardens 155
Greenbriar West 148
White Oaks 144
Westbriar 137
Colvin Run 133
Willow Springs 131
Lorton Station 117
Poplar Tree 107
Orange Hunt 85
Ravensworth 74
Metro Area Chess League 2022-23 Round 7 Results
- by Chess Center
This season’s Metro Area Chess League competition so far has been even closer and more exciting than we thought it would be. No school has secured a playoff berth yet going into the final round, and depending on the results of those matches, any of nine schools may make it in. On Tuesday night, Montgomery Blair edged a narrow match with West Springfield, 2.5-1.5, to tie Richard Montgomery on match points and move into the lead on the board points tiebreaker. Langley, Falls Church and Arlington Career Center are just half a point behind the two leaders, and along with Gonzaga College and McLean, can guarantee a final four spot by winning their last round matches. Centreville and Seneca Valley are also in with a chance of making the playoffs, although they would need to win in Round 8 and get help from results elsewhere.
Centreville High School 2-2 Richard Montgomery High School
Arlington Career Center 2-2 Falls Church High School
West Springfield High School 1.5-2.5 Montgomery Blair High School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School 1-3 Langley High School
Seneca Valley High School 2-2 Gonzaga College High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey 0-4 McLean High School
Winston Churchill High School 1-3 Rochambeau French Intl. School
W.T. Woodson High School 3-1 St. Anselm’s Abbey School
BASIS DC 2-2 Washington Intl. School
Sandy Spring Friends School – DeMatha Catholic High School
Sidwell Friends School 0-4 Georgetown Preparatory School
Rockville High School 4-0 Eastern High School
St. Albans School 4-0 St. John’s High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School 1-3 Bishop McNamara High School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Montgomery Blair High School | 5.5 | 19.5 |
2nd | Richard Montgomery High School | 5.5 | 19 |
3rd | Langley High School | 5 | 19 |
4th (Tie) | Arlington Career Center | 5 | 18 |
4th (Tie) | Falls Church High School | 5 | 18 |
6th (Tie) | Gonzaga College High School | 4.5 | 18 |
6th (Tie) | McLean High School | 4.5 | 18 |
8th (Tie) | Centreville High School | 4.5 | 16 |
8th (Tie) | Seneca Valley High School | 4.5 | 16 |
10th | Rockville High School | 4 | 17 |
11th | West Springfield High School | 4 | 16.5 |
12th | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 4 | 16 |
13th | Rochambeau French Intl. School | 4 | 15.5 |
14th | W.T. Woodson High School | 4 | 15 |
15th (Tie) | Winston Churchill High School | 3.5 | 14.5 |
15th (Tie) | Washington Intl. School | 3.5 | 14.5 |
17th | BASIS DC | 3.5 | 13.5 |
18th (Tie) | St. Anselm’s Abbey School | 3 | 13 |
18th (Tie) | Georgetown Preparatory School | 3 | 13 |
20th | St. Albans School | 3 | 12 |
21st | Bishop McNamara High School | 3 | 11 |
22nd | Sidwell Friends School | 2.5 | 12 |
23rd | Sandy Spring Friends School | 2.5 | 11.5 |
24th | Don Bosco Cristo Rey | 2.5 | 10.5 |
25th | DeMatha Catholic High School | 2.5 | 10 |
26th | St. John’s College High School | 2 | 10.5 |
27th | Eastern High School | 2 | 10 |
28th | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 0.5 | 4.5 |
29th | McKinley Technology High School | 0 | 1 |
30th | IDEA Public Charter School | 0 | 0 |
McLean High School – Montgomery Blair High School
Richard Montgomery High School – Gonzaga College High School
Falls Church High School – Langley High School
Arlington Career Center – Centreville High School
Rochambeau French Intl. School – Seneca Valley High School
West Springfield High School – W.T. Woodson High School
DeMatha Catholic High School – Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Washington Intl. School – Winston Churchill High School
Georgetown Preparatory School – Rockville High School
St. Anselm’s Abbey School – BASIS DC
St. Albans School – Don Bosco Cristo Rey
Bishop McNamara High School – Sandy Spring Friends School
Sidwell Friends School – E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Eastern High School – St. John’s College High School
Metro Area Chess League 2022-23 Round 6 Results
- by Chess Center
This past round of the Metro Area Chess League was the most closely fought of the season so far. Most of the matches were swayed by the outcome of a single game, with several ultimately ending up as 2-2 draws. Richard Montgomery still holds the overall lead in the standings despite ceding a draw to Falls Church, who stayed half a point behind. Montgomery Blair and Arlington Career Center also tied their match 2-2 to remain in the other two playoff positions. Six other schools are half a point out of the top four.
Richard Montgomery High School 2-2 Falls Church High School
Montgomery Blair High School – Arlington Career Center
Langley High School 1-3 Centreville High School
Rochambeau French Intl. School 1-3 West Springfield High School
Washington Intl. School 1-3 Seneca Valley High School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School 2-2 Winston Churchill High School
McLean High School 3-1 DeMatha Catholic High School
Georgetown Preparatory School 2-2 W.T. Woodson High School
Bishop McNamara High School 1-3 Don Bosco Cristo Rey
Rockville High School 2-2 Sandy Spring Friends School
Gonzaga College High School 3-1 Sidwell Friends School
St. John’s High School 1-3 BASIS DC
St. Anselm’s Abbey School 2-2 St. Albans School
Eastern High School 4-0 E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Richard Montgomery High School | 5 | 17 |
2nd | Montgomery Blair High School | 4.5 | 17 |
3rd (Tie) | Arlington Career Center | 4.5 | 16 |
3rd (Tie) | Falls Church High School | 4.5 | 16 |
5th (Tie) | Langley High School | 4 | 16 |
5th (Tie) | Gonzaga College High School | 4 | 16 |
7th (Tie) | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 4 | 15 |
7th (Tie) | West Springfield High School | 4 | 15 |
9th (Tie) | Centreville High School | 4 | 14 |
9th (Tie) | Seneca Valley High School | 4 | 14 |
11th | McLean High School | 3.5 | 14 |
12th | Winston Churchill High School | 3.5 | 13.5 |
13th | Rockville High School | 3 | 13 |
14th (Tie) | Washington Intl. School | 3 | 12.5 |
14th (Tie) | Rochambeau French Intl. School | 3 | 12.5 |
16th (Tie) | W.T. Woodson High School | 3 | 12 |
16th (Tie) | St. Anselm’s Abbey School | 3 | 12 |
18th | BASIS DC | 3 | 11.5 |
19th | Sidwell Friends School | 2.5 | 12 |
20th (Tie) | Sandy Spring Friends School | 2.5 | 10.5 |
20th (Tie) | Don Bosco Cristo Rey | 2.5 | 10.5 |
22nd | St. John’s College High School | 2 | 10.5 |
23rd | Eastern High School | 2 | 10 |
24th | Georgetown Preparatory School | 2 | 9 |
25th (Tie) | DeMatha Catholic High School | 2 | 8 |
25th (Tie) | Bishop McNamara High School | 2 | 8 |
25th (Tie) | St. Albans School | 2 | 8 |
28th | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 0.5 | 3.5 |
29th | McKinley Technology High School | 0 | 1 |
30th | IDEA Public Charter School | 0 | 0 |
Centreville High School – Richard Montgomery High School
Arlington Career Center – Falls Church High School
West Springfield High School – Montgomery Blair High School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School – Langley High School
Seneca Valley High School – Gonzaga College High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey – McLean High School
Winston Churchill High School – Rochambeau French Intl. School
W.T. Woodson High School – St. Anselm’s Abbey School
BASIS DC – Washington Intl. School
Sandy Spring Friends School – DeMatha Catholic High School
Sidwell Friends School – Georgetown Preparatory School
Rockville High School – Eastern High School
St. Albans School – St. John’s High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School – Bishop McNamara High School
Elementary Team League 2022-23 Matchday 6 Results
- by Chess Center
We’re now at the three-quarter mark of what has been a very fun Elementary Team League season. As always, we were happy to see many new faces at yesterday’s matches. Playing in the ETL is a great start point for students who want to build up the skills and confidence to represent their schools in other competitions.
In the overall season standings, Spring Hill has edged slightly ahead of its closest pursuers with the results of Saturday’s games, but several other schools remain in striking distance with two matchdays to go.





Round 11 Results
Kent Gardens 3-0 Orange Hunt
Churchill Road 3.5-0.5 Willow Springs
White Oaks 4-0 Ravensworth
Colvin Run 0-4 Westbriar
Poplar Tree 0-3 Lorton Station
Greenbriar West 1-3 Spring Hill
Round 12 Results
Spring Hill 4-0 Poplar Tree
Ravensworth 1-3 Greenbriar West
Willow Springs 3.5-0.5 White Oaks
Westbriar 2-2 Kent Gardens
Lorton Station 3-1 Colvin Run
Orange Hunt 1-3 Churchill Road
Team Standings After Matchday 6
Spring Hill 147
Churchill Road 136
Kent Gardens 131
White Oaks 126
Greenbriar West 124
Westbriar 121
Colvin Run 117
Willow Springs 115
Lorton Station 106
Poplar Tree 90
Orange Hunt 73
Ravensworth 56
Metro Area Chess League 2022-23 Round 5 Results
- by Chess Center
Yesterday evening, February 7, was the fifth round of this season’s Metro Area Chess League. Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, MD) saw their win streak come to an end when they drew their match 2-2 against Montgomery Blair High School (Silver Spring, MD), but they still hold the overall lead in the standings with 4.5 match points. Langley High School (McLean, VA), Falls Church High School (Falls Church, VA) and Arlington Career Center (Arlington, VA) all won their matches to join Montgomery Blair in a tie for second place, half a point off the lead in what is shaping to be a very close race for the four playoff spots.
Montgomery Blair High School 2-2 Richard Montgomery High School
Arlington Career Center 4-0 Seneca Valley High School
Winston Churchill High School 0.5-3.5 Langley High School
Gonzaga College High School 1-3 Falls Church High School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School 2-2 West Springfield High School
W.T. Woodson High School 1-3 Rochambeau French Intl. School
St. John’s College High School 2-2 McLean High School
DeMatha Catholic High School 2-2 St. Anselm’s Abbey School
Sidwell Friends School 3-1 Rockville High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey 1.5-2.5 Washington Intl. School
Centreville High School 3.5-0.5 St. Albans School
BASIS DC 2-2 Georgetown Preparatory School
Eastern High School 2-2 Bishop McNamara High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School 0.5-3.5 Sandy Spring Friends School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Richard Montgomery High School | 4.5 | 15 |
2nd (Tie) | Montgomery Blair High School | 4 | 15 |
2nd (Tie) | Langley High School | 4 | 15 |
4th (Tie) | Falls Church High School | 4 | 14 |
4th (Tie) | Arlington Career Center | 4 | 14 |
6th | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 3.5 | 13 |
7th | Gonzaga College High School | 3 | 13 |
8th (Tie) | West Springfield High School | 3 | 12 |
8th (Tie) | Centreville High School | 3 | 12 |
10th (Tie) | Winston Churchill High School | 3 | 11.5 |
10th (Tie) | Washington Intl. School | 3 | 11.5 |
10th (Tie) | Rochambeau, the French International School | 3 | 11.5 |
13th | Seneca Valley High School | 3 | 11 |
14th (Tie) | Rockville High School | 2.5 | 11 |
14th (Tie) | McLean High School | 2.5 | 11 |
14th (Tie) | Sidwell Friends School | 2.5 | 11 |
17th | W.T. Woodson High School | 2.5 | 10 |
18th | St. Anselm’s Abbey School | 2.5 | 10 |
19th | St. John’s College High School | 2 | 9.5 |
20th (Tie) | BASIS DC | 2` | 8.5 |
20th (Tie) | Sandy Spring Friends School | 2 | 8.5 |
22nd (Tie) | DeMatha Catholic High School | 2 | 7 |
22nd (Tie) | Bishop McNamara High School | 2 | 7 |
24th | Don Bosco Cristo Rey | 1.5 | 7.5 |
25th | Georgetown Preparatory School | 1.5 | 7 |
26th | St. Albans School | 1.5 | 6 |
27th | Eastern High School | 1 | 6 |
28th | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 0.5 | 3.5 |
29th | McKinley Technology High School | 0 | 1 |
30th | IDEA Public Charter School | 0 | 0 |
Richard Montgomery High School – Falls Church High School
Montgomery Blair High School – Arlington Career Center
Langley High School – Centreville High School
Rochambeau French Intl. School – West Springfield High School
Washington Intl. School – Seneca Valley High School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School – Winston Churchill High School
McLean High School – DeMatha Catholic High School
Georgetown Preparatory School – W.T. Woodson High School
Bishop McNamara High School – Don Bosco Cristo Rey
Rockville High School – Sandy Spring Friends School
Gonzaga College High School – Sidwell Friends School
St. John’s High School – BASIS DC
St. Anselm’s Abbey School – St. Albans School
Eastern High School – E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Elementary Team League 2022-23 Matchday 5 Results
- by Chess Center
The competition is tightening at the top of the Elementary Team League as we move further into the season. Spring Hill Elementary holds the lead after yesterday’s day of matches, but five other schools are within 13 points of the top spot. Since schools can earn a maximum of 32 points on a given matchday, this season’s competition looks set to go all the way to the final day of matches at the end of March.
Greenbriar West Elementary was a standout performer in last Saturday’s meeting, sweeping both of their matches 4-0 to catch up to the battle for the lead. Three matchdays remain in the season, and there’s still time to get in on the excitement. Participation in the League is free and open to anyone in one of our after-school chess clubs.





Round 9 Results
Colvin Run 2.5 – 1.5 Spring Hill
Lorton Station 1-3 Willow Springs
White Oaks 2-2 Kent Gardens
Orange Hunt 3-1 Westbriar
Churchill Road 2-0 Ravensworth
Poplar Tree 0-4 Greenbriar West
Round 10 Results
Ravensworth 1-2 Poplar Tree
Greenbriar West 4-0 Colvin Run
Spring Hill 2.5-1.5 White Oaks
Kent Gardens 4-0 Lorton Station
Willow Springs 2-2 Orange Hunt
Westbriar 3-1 Churchill Road
Team Standings After Matchday 5
Spring Hill 117
Kent Gardens 109
Churchill Road 107
Colvin Run 107
Willow Springs 106
Greenbriar West 104
White Oaks 95
Westbriar 95
Poplar Tree 86
Lorton Station 80
Orange Hunt 68
Ravensworth 44
Metro Area Chess League 2022-23 Round 4 Results
- by Chess Center
The competition is tightening up halfway through the regular season in the Metro Area Chess League. In a meeting between two of the frontrunners this past Tuesday, the team from Richard Montgomery edged a close contest with Churchill to move into sole first place as the only school to have won all four of their matches so far after the other co-leader, Montgomery Blair, drew their match with Langley. We are still waiting for a handful of matches to be completed, and the overall standings will be updated once those results come in.
Richard Montgomery High School 2.5-1.5 Winston Churchill High School
Langley High School 2-2 Montgomery Blair High School
McLean High School 1-3 Arlington Career Center
West Springfield High School 4-0 DeMatha Catholic High School
BASIS DC 2-2 Sidwell Friends School
Rockville High School 2-2 Rochambeau French Intl. School
St. Anselm’s Abbey School 3-1 Eastern High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School 0-4 St. John’s College High School
Washington Intl. School 4-0 McKinley Technology High School
Georgetown Preparatory School 0-4 Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Falls Church High School 0-4 Centreville High School
Seneca Valley High School 0-3 Don Bosco Cristo Rey
St. Albans School 0-4 Gonzaga College High School
Bishop McNamara High School 0-4 W.T. Woodson High School
Sandy Spring Friends School 4-0 IDEA Public Charter School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Richard Montgomery High School | 4 | 13 |
2nd | Montgomery Blair High School | 3.5 | 13 |
3rd | Gonzaga College High School | 3 | 12 |
4th | Langley High School | 3 | 11.5 |
5th (Tie) | Seneca Valley High School | 3 | 11 |
5th (Tie) | Winston Churchill High School | 3 | 11 |
5th (Tie) | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 3 | 11 |
5th (Tie) | Falls Church High School | 3 | 11 |
9th | Arlington Career Center | 3 | 10 |
10th (Tie) | Rockville High School | 2.5 | 10 |
10th (Tie) | West Springfield High School | 2.5 | 10 |
12th | W.T. Woodson High School | 2.5 | 9 |
13th (Tie) | McLean High School | 2 | 9 |
13th (Tie) | Washington International School | 2 | 9 |
15th | Rochambeau, the French International School “ | 2 | 8.5 |
16th | St. Anselm’s Abbey School | 2 | 8 |
17th | Centreville High School | 2 | 7.5 |
18th | Sidwell Friends School | 1.5 | 8 |
19th | St. John’s College High School | 1.5 | 7.5 |
20th | BASIS DC | 1.5 | 6.5 |
21st | Don Bosco Cristo Rey | 1.5 | 6 |
22nd | St. Albans School | 1.5 | 5.5 |
23rd (Tie) | DeMatha Catholic High School | 1 | 5 |
23rd (Tie) | Georgetown Preparatory School | 1 | 5 |
23rd (Tie) | Sandy Spring Friends School | 1 | 5 |
23rd (Tie) | Eastern High School | 1 | 5 |
27th | Bishop McNamara High School | 1 | 4 |
28th | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 0.5 | 3 |
29th | McKinley Technology High School | 0 | 1 |
30th | IDEA Public Charter School | 0 | 0 |
Montgomery Blair High School – Richard Montgomery High School
Arlington Career Center – Seneca Valley High School
Winston Churchill High School – Langley High School
Gonzaga College High School – Falls Church High School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School – West Springfield High School
W.T. Woodson High School – Rochambeau French Intl. School
St. John’s College High School – McLean High School
DeMatha Catholic High School – St. Anselm’s Abbey School
Sidwell Friends School – Rockville High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey – Washington Intl. School
Centreville High School – St. Albans School
BASIS DC – Georgetown Preparatory School
Eastern High School – Bishop McNamara High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School – Sandy Spring Friends School
IDEA Public Charter School – McKinley Technology High School
Elementary Team League 2022-23 Matchday 4 Results
- by Chess Center
Round 4 of the Elementary Team League was played earlier today. Spring Hill Elementary moved into first place with a 30-point day, scoring six wins and two draws from their eight games, one of many shakeups in the standings as the season hit the halfway mark.




Round 7 Results
Westbriar 1-3 Spring Hill
Kent Gardens 1-3 Colvin Run
Churchill Road 4-0 Greenbriar West
Orange Hunt 0.5-3.5 White Oaks
Ravensworth 0-4 Lorton Station
Willow Springs 3-1 Poplar Tree
Round 8 Results
Colvin Run 3-1 Willow Springs
Greenbriar West 1-3 Kent Gardens
Spring Hill 4-0 Ravensworth
White Oaks 0.5-3.5 Westbriar
Poplar Tree 3.5-0.5 Orange Hunt
Lorton Station 3-1 Churchill Road
Team Standings After Matchday 4
Spring Hill 97
Churchill Road 95
Colvin Run 90
Kent Gardens 83
Willow Springs 82
White Oaks 78
Westbriar 75
Poplar Tree 73
Greenbriar West 72
Lorton Station 71
Orange Hunt 50
Ravensworth 35
The season continues on February 4, followed by three more matchdays in February and March. Participation in the League is free of charge and open to anyone in an after-school chess club of ours.
Metro Area Chess League 2022-23 Round 3 Results
- by Chess Center
The Metro Area Chess League reconvened on lichess yesterday night for its third match of the season, and its first of the calendar year. This round was the most exciting of the season so far, with competitive games all throughout the field (a few of which we’ll post shortly).
With all the results in, Montgomery Blair, Richard Mongomery and Churchill are the only three schools to have won all of their matches thus far, with Blair ahead on the board points tiebreaker. Round 4 will be two weeks from now, the evening of January 24.
Montgomery Blair High School 3-1 Gonzaga College High School
Rochambeau French Intl. School 1.5-2.5 Richard Montgomery High School
Winston Churchill High School 2.5-1.5 McLean High School
St. Albans School 0.5-3.5 Langley High School
Arlington Career Center 3-1 West Springfield High School
Centreville High School 4-0 Bishop McNamara High School
Seneca Valley High School 3-1 Sidwell Friends School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey 3-1 BASIS DC
St. Anselm’s Abbey School 2-2 Rockville High School
DeMatha Catholic High School 2-2 E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School 2-2 Washington Int. School
McKinley Technology High School 0-4 (forfeit) Georgetown Preparatory School
W.T. Woodson High School 2.5-1.5 St. John’s College High School
Sandy Spring Friends School 0-3 (forfeit) Eastern High School
IDEA Public Charter School 0-4 (forfeit) Falls Church High School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Montgomery Blair High School | 3 | 11 |
2nd | Richard Montgomery High School | 3 | 10.5 |
3rd | Winston Churchill High School | 3 | 9.5 |
4th | Langley High School | 2.5 | 9.5 |
5th (Tie) | Gonzaga College High School | 2 | 8 |
5th (Tie) | McLean High School | 2 | 8 |
5th (Tie) | Seneca Valley High School | 2 | 8 |
5th (Tie) | Rockville High School | 2 | 8 |
9th | Centreville High School | 2 | 7.5 |
10th (Tie) | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 2 | 7 |
10th (Tie) | Arlington Career Center | 2 | 7 |
10th (Tie) | Falls Church High School | 2 | 7 |
13th | Rochambeau, the French International School | 1.5 | 6.5 |
14th (Tie) | West Springfield High School | 1.5 | 6 |
14th (Tie) | W.T. Woodson High School | 1.5 | 6 |
14th (Tie) | Don Bosco Cristo Rey | 1.5 | 6 |
17th | St. Albans School | 1.5 | 5.5 |
18th | DeMatha Catholic High School | 1.5 | 5 |
19th | Sidwell Friends School | 1 | 6 |
20th (Tie) | St. Anselm’s Abbey School | 1 | 5 |
20th (Tie) | Georgetown Preparatory School | 1 | 5 |
20th (Tie) | Washington International School | 1 | 5 |
23rd | BASIS DC | 1 | 4.5 |
24th (Tie) | Bishop McNamara High School | 1 | 4 |
24th (Tie) | Eastern High School | 1 | 4 |
26th | St. John’s College High School | 0.5 | 3.5 |
27th | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 0.5 | 3 |
28th (Tie) | McKinley Technology High School | 0 | 1 |
28th (Tie) | Sandy Spring Friends School | 0 | 1 |
30th | IDEA Public Charter School | 0 | 0 |
Richard Montgomery High School – Winston Churchill High School
Langley High School – Montgomery Blair High School
McLean High School – Arlington Career Center
Falls Church High School – Centreville High School
Seneca Valley High School – Don Bosco Cristo Rey
St. Albans School – Gonzaga College High School
West Springfield High School – DeMatha Catholic High School
BASIS DC – Sidwell Friends School
Rockville High School – Rochambeau French Intl. School
St. Anselm’s Abbey School – Eastern High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School – St. John’s College High School
Washington Intl. School – McKinley Technology High School
Georgetown Preparatory School – Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Bishop McNamara High School – W.T. Woodson High School
Sandy Spring Friends School – IDEA Public Charter School
Elementary Team League 2022-23 Matchday 3 Results
- by Chess Center
Back from the winter break, the Elementary Team League returned to St. Luke’s Methodist Church for the third matchday of the 2022-23 season. Among the more than 40 elementary-schoolers who turned up to play, we were happy to see many students who’d never taken part in competitions outside of their school clubs. Representing their schools in the League is an excellent foundation for these students to build on for other tournaments in the future.



Round 5 Results
Willow Springs 3-1 Westbriar
Greenbriar West 1.5-2.5 Colvin Run
Churchill Road 3.5-0.5 Spring Hill
Lorton Station 2-2 White Oaks
Ravensworth 1-3 Orange Hunt
Poplar Tree 1-3 Kent Gardens
Round 6 Results
Kent Gardens 3-1 Willow Springs
Westbriar 2-2 Ravensworth
Spring Hill 2-2 Lorton Station
Orange Hunt 1-3 Greenbriar West
White Oaks 2-2 Poplar Tree
Colvin Run 2-2 Churchill Road
Team Standings After Matchday 3
Churchill Road 73
Spring Hill 67
Greenbriar West 64
Kent Gardens 63
Westbriar 63
Willow Springs 62
Colvin Run 62
Poplar Tree 52
White Oaks 50
Lorton Station 41
Orange Hunt 40
Ravensworth 31



Metro Area Chess League 2022-23 Round 2 Results
- by Chess Center
The Metro Area Chess League reconvened on lichess last Tuesday night, December 5. Last year’s top two finishers Montgomery Blair (Silver Spring, MD) and Richard Montgomery (Rockville, MD) have picked up right where they left off, recording 4-0 sweeps in both of their first two matches to lead the field early on. Gonzaga College High School of northwest Washington, Winston Churchill High School of Potomac, MD and McLean High School of McLean, VA have also won both of their first two matches.
Arlington Career Center 0-4 Montgomery Blair High School
Richard Montgomery High School 4-0 Georgetown Preparatory School
Gonzaga College High School 3-1 Washington Int. School
Rochambeau French Intl. School 2-2 Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Winston Churchill High School 3-1 Centreville High School
McLean High School 2.5 – 1.5 W.T. Woodson High School
Eastern High School School 1-3 St. Albans School
Bishop McNamara High School 1-3 DeMatha Catholic High School
West Springfield High School 3-1 Seneca Valley High School
Falls Church High School 3-1 Don Bosco Cristo Rey
Rockville High School 4-0 IDEA Public Charter School (forfeit)
St. John’s College High School 2-2 St. Anselm’s Abbey School
BASIS DC 3-1 E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Sidwell Friends School 4-0 McKinley Technology High School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st (Tie) | Montgomery Blair High School | 2 | 8 |
1st (Tie) | Richard Montgomery High School | 2 | 8 |
3rd (Tie) | Gonzaga College High School | 2 | 7 |
3rd (Tie) | Winston Churchill High School | 2 | 7 |
5th | McLean High School | 2 | 6.5 |
6th (Tie) | Langley High School | 1.5 | 6 |
6th (Tie) | Rockville High School | 1.5 | 6 |
8th (Tie) | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 1.5 | 5 |
8th (Tie) | Rochambeau, the French International School | 1.5 | 5 |
8th (Tie) | St. Albans School | 1.5 | 5 |
8th (Tie) | West Springfield High School | 1.5 | 5 |
12th (Tie) | Seneca Valley High School | 1 | 5 |
12th (Tie) | Sidwell Friends School | 1 | 5 |
14th (Tie) | Arlington Career Center | 1 | 4 |
14th (Tie) | Bishop McNamara High School | 1 | 4 |
16th (Tie) | BASIS DC | 1 | 3.5 |
16th (Tie) | Centreville High School | 1 | 3.5 |
18th (Tie) | DeMatha Catholic High School | 1 | 3 |
18th (Tie) | Falls Church High School | 1 | 3 |
20th (Tie) | W.T. Woodson High School | 0.5 | 3.5 |
21st (Tie) | Don Bosco Cristo Rey | 0.5 | 3 |
21st (Tie) | Washington International School | 0.5 | 3 |
21st (Tie) | St. Anselm’s Abbey School | 0.5 | 3 |
24th (Tie) | St. John’s College High School | 0.5 | 2 |
25th (Tie) | Eastern High School | 0 | 1 |
25th (Tie) | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 0 | 1 |
25th (Tie) | Georgetown Preparatory School | 0 | 1 |
25th (Tie) | McKinley Technology High School | 0 | 1 |
25th (Tie) | Sandy Spring Friends School | 0 | 1 |
30th | IDEA Public Charter School | 0 | 0 |
Montgomery Blair High School – Gonzaga College High School
Rochambeau French Intl. School – Richard Montgomery High School
Winston Churchill High School – McLean High School
St. Albans School – Langley High School
Arlington Career Center – West Springfield High School
Centreville High School – Bishop McNamara High School
Seneca Valley High School – Sidwell Friends School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey – BASIS DC
St. Anselm’s Abbey School – Rockville High Schoo
DeMatha Catholic High School – E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School – Washington Int. School
McKinley Technology High School – Georgetown Preparatory School
W.T. Woodson High School – St. John’s College High School
Sandy Spring Friends School – Eastern High School
IDEA Public Charter School – Falls Church High School
Elementary Team League 2022-23 Matchday 2 Results
- by Chess Center
Spring Hill Elementary played host to the second matchday of the Elementary Team League yesterday, December 3. Over 40 students turned up to represent their schools.



Round 3 Results
Westbriar 3-1 Poplar Tree
White Oaks 0-4 Churchill Road
Kent Gardens 1-3 Spring Hill
Colvin Run 2-2 Willow Springs
Ravensworth 0-4 Greenbriar West
Orange Hunt 3-1 Lorton Station
Round 4 Results
Spring Hill 3-1 Orange Hunt
Poplar Tree 2-2 Colvin Run
Greenbriar West 3.5 – 0.5 White Oaks
Lorton Station 1.5-2.5 Westbriar
Churchill Road 4-0 Kent Gardens
Willow Springs 3-0 Ravensworth
Team Standings After Matchday 2
Churchill Road 58
Spring Hill 52
Westbriar 47
Greenbriar West 43
Willow Springs 42
Colvin Run 39
Poplar Tree 36
Kent Gardens 35
White Oaks 32
Lorton Station 21
Orange Hunt 20
Ravensworth 17
The League breaks for the holiday season and resumes on January 7, 2023. Participation is free and open to all students enrolled in one of our after-school chess clubs. Please reach out to your chess club instructor if you would like your child to participate in the League this season.
2022-23 Elementary Team League Season Kicks Off
- by Chess Center
Representatives from 11 school teams came together the Saturday before Thanksgiving for the first round of the new season of the Elementary Team League. As with last year’s competition, St. Luke’s Methodist Church was the venue.
For many of these students, it was their first time representing their school in a competitive chess event. With several major competitions on the horizon, such as the national K-12 grade level championship in a couple of weeks, our number one goal is to help the kids build experience and confidence they need to compete.



Round 1 Results
Westbriar 3-1 Greenbriar West
Poplar Tree 2-2 Churchill Road
Willow Springs 1-3 Spring Hill
Colvin Run 3.5-0.5 Ravensworth
Kent Gardens 2.5-1.5 Mixed Team
White Oaks 3.5-0.5 Mixed Team
Lorton Station 0-4 Mixed Team
Round 2 Results
White Oaks 3-1 Colvin Run
Greenbriar West 1-3 Willow Springs
Lorton Station 0-4 Kent Gardens
Churchill Road 4-0 Mixed Team
Westbriar 1-3 Mixed Team
Ravensworth 1-3 Mixed Team
Team Standings After Matchday 1
Kent Gardens: 27
White Oaks: 27
Churchill Road: 26
Spring Hill: 24
Poplar Tree: 20
Westbriar: 20
Willow Springs: 20
Colvin Run: 19
Greenbriar West: 12
Ravensworth: 11
Lorton Station: 8
Orange Hunt: 0
Our scoring system for the league is constructed to encourage participation. Students who play a game earn 1 point for their school team, with an additional 2 points awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw. Winning a match is worth 4 bonus points for the school, while drawing a match is worth 2 bonus points, so teams can earn a maximum of 16 points per match.
New Metro Area Chess League Season Begins
- by Chess Center
Tuesday evening, November 15, was the start of the 2022-2023 season of the Metro Area Chess League. Following the success of last year’s competition, the MACL has retained the same general format with the games taking place online on lichess.com on Tuesday evenings.
30 schools have signed up to play in the MACL this year, the largest participation rate in more than 30 years. Last year’s top two finishers Montgomery Blair High School (Silver Spring, MD) and Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, MD) won their Round 1 matches with 4-0 sweeps, as did fourth place finisher Gonzaga College High School (Washington, D.C.). Also sweeping their matches were league newcomers Arlington Career Center (Arlington, VA), McLean High School (McLean, VA) and Seneca Valley High School (Germantown, MD), and the six schools share the early lead. Round 2 will be on December 6.
Montgomery Blair High School 4-0 Falls Church High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School 0-4 Richard Montgomery High School
DeMatha Catholic High School 0-4 Gonzaga College High School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School 3-1 Sidwell Friends School
St. Anselm’s Abbey School 1-3 Winston Churchill High School
Arlington Career Center 4-0 St. John’s College High School
Sandy Spring Friends School 1-3 Rochambeau French Intl. School
St. Albans School 2-2 West Springfield High School
McKinley Technology High School 2-2 Bishop McNamara High School
Seneca Valley High School 4-0 Eastern High School
Centreville High School 3-5-0.5 BASIS DC
IDEA Public Charter School 0-4 McLean High School (forfeit)
Don Bosco Cristo Rey 2-2 Rockville High School
Washington Intl. School 2-1 Georgetown Preparatory School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st (Tie) | Arlington Career Center | 1 | 4 |
1st (Tie) | Gonzaga College High School | 1 | 4 |
1st (Tie) | McLean High School | 1 | 4 |
1st (Tie) | Montgomery Blair High School | 1 | 4 |
1st (Tie) | Richard Montgomery High School | 1 | 4 |
1st (Tie) | Seneca Valley High School | 1 | 4 |
7th | Centreville High School | 1 | 3.5 |
8th (Tie) | Winston Churchill High School | 1 | 3 |
8th (Tie) | Rochambeau, the French International School | 1 | 3 |
8th (Tie) | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 1 | 3 |
8th (Tie) | Bishop McNamara High School | 1 | 3 |
12th (Tie) | Don Bosco Cristo Rey | 0.5 | 2 |
12th (Tie) | Langley High School | 0.5 | 2 |
12th (Tie) | Rockville High School | 0.5 | 2 |
12th (Tie) | St. Albans School | 0.5 | 2 |
12th (Tie) | Washington International School | 0.5 | 2 |
12th (Tie) | West Springfield High School | 0.5 | 2 |
12th (Tie) | W.T. Woodson High School | 0.5 | 2 |
20th (Tie) | Georgetown Preparatory School | 0 | 1 |
20th (Tie) | McKinley Technology High School | 0 | 1 |
20th (Tie) | St. Anselms School | 0 | 1 |
20th (Tie) | Sandy Spring Friends School | 0 | 1 |
20th (Tie) | Sidwell Friends School | 0 | 1 |
24th | BASIS DC | 0 | 0.5 |
25th (Tie) | DeMatha Catholic High School | 0 | 0 |
25th (Tie) | Eastern High School | 0 | 0 |
25th (Tie) | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 0 | 0 |
25th (Tie) | Falls Church High School | 0 | 0 |
25th (Tie) | IDEA Public Charter School | 0 | 0 |
25th (Tie) | St. John’s College High School | 0 | 0 |
Georgetown Preparatory School – Montgomery Blair High School
Richard Montomery High School – Arlington Career Center
McLean High School – W.T. Woodson High School
Gonzaga College High School – Washington Intl. School
West Springfield High School – Seneca Valley High School
Rockville High School – IDEA Public Charter School
St. John’s College High School – St. Anselm’s Abbey School
Bishop McNamara High School – DeMatha Catholic High School
Sidwell Friends School – McKinley Technology High School
Eastern High School – St. Albans School
Langley High School – Sandy Spring Friends School
Rochambeau French Intl. School – Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Winston Churchill High School – Centreville High School
BASIS DC – E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Falls Church High School – Don Bosco Cristo Rey
Metro Area Chess League 2021-22: Playoff Results
- by Chess Center
Montgomery Blair’s domination of the Metro Area Chess League continued through the play-offs as they swept to the championship winning all three of their matches. The play-offs were held Saturday, March 26, in the museum of United Therapeutics in Blair’s home turf of downtown Silver Spring, Maryland. The league is grateful to United Therapeutics for providing such a convenient and comfortable location for the play-offs, and for the snacks.

Richard Montgomery High School of Rockville finished in second place with a 1½ – 1½ score (one win, one draw and one loss), followed by Woodrow Wilson High School of the District of Columbia (1 – 2) and Gonzaga College High School (½ – 2½).
The league included 22 teams this year from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, starting play in November. This is the first time the league was run virtually, but with the success of this year, we will run the league this way again in the 2022-23 school year. Any high school in the metro area may join.




Round 1
Montgomery Blair High School 3-1 Woodrow Wilson High School
Richard Montgomery High School 2.5-1.5 Gonzaga College High School
Round 2
Richard Montgomery High School 2-2 Woodrow Wilson High School
Gonzaga College High School 0-4 Montgomery Blair High School
Round 3
Woodrow Wilson High School 2-2 Gonzaga College High School
Montgomery Blair High School 3-1 Richard Montgomery High School
Metro Area Chess League 2021-22: Round 8 Results
- by Chess Center
With 22 high schools from around the Washington area and over 100 students participating throughout the year, this was the largest online season we’ve run, and we’re very pleased to have revived the League after several years’ hiatus. We thank all the students for logging on to participate on Tuesday nights and the school chess club sponsors and coaches for helping make this such a success.
Montgomery Blair High School 3-1 Gonzaga College High School
Richard Montgomery High School 4-0 Northwest High School
McLean High School 2-2 Woodrow Wilson High School
Rochambeau French Intl. School 3-1 BASIS DC
West Springfield High School 2-2 Washington International School
South Lakes High School 1.5-2.5 Thomas J. Wootton High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School 2-2 St. Anselm’s Abbey School
St. Albans School 0-4 Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Justice High School 0-4 Georgetown Preparatory School
Rockville High School 4-0 Don Bosco Cristo Rey
James Hubert Blake High School – The SEED Public Charter School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Montgomery Blair High School | 7.5 | 27 |
2nd | Richard Montgomery High School | 5.5 | 22 |
3rd | Gonzaga College High School | 5.5 | 20.5 |
4th | Woodrow Wilson High School | 5.5 | 18.5 |
5th | Rochambeau, the French International School | 5.5 | 17.5 |
6th | McLean High School | 5 | 19 |
7th | Georgetown Preparatory School | 4.5 | 18 |
8th | West Springfield High School | 4.5 | 17 |
9th (Tie) | BASIS DC | 4.5 | 16.5 |
9th (Tie) | Thomas S. Wootton High School | 4.5 | 16.5 |
11th | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 4 | 17 |
12th | Washington International School | 4 | 16.5 |
13th | Northwest High School | 4 | 16 |
14th | St. Anselm's Abbey School | 3.5 | 15 |
15th | South Lakes High School | 3.5 | 14.5 |
16th | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 3.5 | 14 |
17th | Justice High School | 3 | 13 |
18th | Rockville High School | 3 | 12 |
19th | St. Albans School | 3 | 11.5 |
20th (Tie) | Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School | 1 | 8 |
20th (Tie) | James Hubert Blake High School | 1 | 8 |
22nd | The SEED Public Charter School | 0.5 | 5 |
PCSAA Middle School Chess League Wraps Up With Close Finish
- by Chess Center
After seven Saturdays of play, the spring 2022 season of the PCSAA Middle School Chess League finished this afternoon. BASIS DC and District of Columbia International School both entered the final day of play with undefeated records, and in their match against one another, either school could have taken the season championship with a victory.
In the final game to finish, the BASIS player had a decisive advantage after: 1. e4 e5 2. d4 Na6 3. dxe5 d6 4. exd6 Bxd6 5. Nf3 Bg4 6. Bxa6 bxa6 7. O-O Nf6 8. Nc3 O-O 9. Bg5 Be7 10. Qxd8 Raxd8 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 Bxb2 13. Rab1 Ba3 14. Nxc7 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Rd6 16. Rb3 Bc5 17. Rd3 Rg6+ 18. Kh1 Bd6 19. Nxa6 Rh6 20. h3 Rxh3+ 21. Kg2 Rh6 22. Rfd1 Rd8 23. e5 Rg6+ 24. Kf1 f5 25. Rxd6 Rdxd6 26. Rxd6 Rxd6 27. exd6 Kf7 28. c4 Ke6 29. c5 g5 30. Nc7+ Kd7 31. Kg2 h5 32. Nd5 g4 33. Nf6+ Kc6 34. d7 Kc7 35. fxg4 hxg4 36. Kg3 a5 37. c6 a4 38. Nd5+ Kd8 39. Kf4, but like all resourceful chess players Black stayed astute for a way to save the game.

39… g3 40. fxg3 a3 reached the position shown on the left, and if White captures the f-pawn without thinking, 41. Kxf5?? is stalemate. Instead, White sharply sidestepped Black’s drawing trap with 41. Nf6 and won in twelve more moves. (41. Ke5 would have mated faster, but a win is a win.) BASIS narrowly won the match 4.5-3.5 and took the title.
Howard University Middle School of Mathematics & Science swept their match against E.L. Haynes to retain third place in the season standings, while Meridian held onto fourth place on the board points tiebreaker despite losing to Children’s Guild. One more half-point in their match would have put Children’s Guild ahead.
Round-by-round results and the final standings for the season can be viewed here. We congratulate all of the students who showed up to play on lichess this year and we hope to see more of them in upcoming chess competitions in the DC area.
Metro Area Chess League 2021-22: Round 7 Results
- by Chess Center
One round of competition remains in the regular season of the Metro Area Chess League. With six victories from seven matches so far, Montgomery Blair has locked up the number one seed in the playoffs, but the competition is tight for the other three playoff spots.
Woodrow Wilson High School 1-3 Montgomery Blair High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School 0-4 Richard Montgomery High School
McLean High School 1-3 Gonzaga College High School
Northwest High School 1-3 Rochambeau French Intl. School
St. Albans School 2-2 Thomas J. Wootton High School
BASIS DC 4-0 South Lakes High School
St. Anselm’s Abbey School 1-3 West Springfield High School
Rockville High School 0-4 Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Georgetown Preparatory School 1-3 Washington International School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey 1-1 James Hubert Blake High School
The SEED Public Charter School 1.5-2.5 Justice High School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Montgomery Blair High School | 6.5 | 24 |
2nd | Gonzaga College High School | 5.5 | 19.5 |
3rd | Woodrow Wilson High School | 5 | 16.5 |
4th | Richard Montgomery High School | 4.5 | 18 |
5th | McLean High School | 4.5 | 17 |
6th | BASIS DC | 4.5 | 15.5 |
7th | Rochambeau, the French International School | 4.5 | 14.5 |
8th | Northwest High School | 4 | 16 |
9th | West Springfield High School | 4 | 15 |
10th | Washington International School | 3.5 | 14.5 |
11th (Tie) | Georgetown Preparatory School | 3.5 | 14 |
11th (Tie) | Thomas S. Wootton High School | 3.5 | 14 |
13th | South Lakes High School | 3.5 | 13 |
14th (Tie) | Justice High School | 3 | 13 |
14th (Tie) | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 3 | 13 |
14th (Tie) | St. Anselm's Abbey School | 3 | 13 |
17th | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 3 | 12 |
18th | St. Albans School | 3 | 11.5 |
19th | Rockville High School | 2 | 8 |
20th | Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School | 1 | 8 |
21st | James Hubert Blake High School | 1 | 7 |
22nd | The SEED Public Charter School | 0 | 3 |



Round 8 will be held on March 22, 2022 at 7:15pm ET (7:30 games start) with matches played on https://lichess.org.
Montgomery Blair High School – Gonzaga College High School
Richard Montgomery High School – Northwest High School
McLean High School – Woodrow Wilson High School
Rochambeau French Intl. School – BASIS DC
West Springfield High School – Washington International School
Thomas J. Wootton High School – South Lakes High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School – St. Anselm’s Abbey School
St. Albans School – Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Justice High School – Georgetown Preparatory School
Rockville High School – Don Bosco Cristo Rey
James Hubert Blake High School – The SEED Public Charter School
Elementary Team League 2021-22: Round 8 Results
- by Chess Center
It’s been a great season of competition in the Elementary Team League this year. Congratulations to Colvin Run Elementary (Vienna, VA), who took the lead at the halfway point of the season and never looked back, clinching the league championship with a match to spare. White Oaks Elementary came out on top of a battle for second, with Spring Hill edging Greenbriar West for third.
Saturday, March 6 was the final day of matches for the season, and again we had a near-perfect turnout as nearly 40 students turned up to compete for their schools.


One final thank-you to St. Luke’s Methodist Church for providing the venue for us to return to in-person competition this year, after we were online last season. Win or lose, playing in the league has provided valuable experience for everyone this year, especially those who are taking part in the state and national championships later this spring.
Metro Area Chess League 2021-22: Round 6 Results
- by Chess Center
Since many of the D.C. schools were on spring break, Round 6 was played over two weeks, with some matches taking place on February 22 and some on March 1. Montgomery Blair (Silver Spring) continues to lead the field with 5.5 match points out of 6, with Woodrow Wilson (Washington, D.C.) still half a point behind in second and a wide-open race for the playoffs in prospect.
February 22
Montgomery Blair High School 3-1 Thomas J. Wootton High School
McLean High School 3-1 Richard Montgomery High School
West Springfield High School School 1-3 Northwest High School
Gonzaga College High School 4-0 St. Anselm’s Abbey School
South Lakes High School 3-1 Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Georgetown Preparatory School 4-0 James Hubert Blake High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey 1-3 Justice High School
March 1
Rochambeau French Intl. School 3-1 St. Albans School
Woodrow Wilson High School 2.5-1.5 BASIS DC
The SEED Public Charter School 0-4 E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Rockville High School 0-4 Washington International School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Montgomery Blair High School | 5.5 | 21 |
2nd | Woodrow Wilson High School | 5 | 15.5 |
3rd | Gonzaga College High School | 4.5 | 16.5 |
4th | McLean High School | 4.5 | 16 |
5th | Northwest High School | 4 | 15 |
6th | Richard Montgomery High School | 3.5 | 14 |
7th (Tie) | Georgetown Preparatory School | 3.5 | 13 |
7th (Tie) | South Lakes High School | 3.5 | 13 |
9th (Tie) | BASIS DC | 3.5 | 11.5 |
9th (Tie) | Rochambeau, the French International School | 3.5 | 11.5 |
11th (Tie) | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 3 | 12 |
11th (Tie) | St. Anselm's Abbey School | 3 | 12 |
11th (Tie) | West Springfield High School | 3 | 12 |
11th (Tie) | Thomas S. Wootton High School | 3 | 12 |
15th | Washington International School | 2.5 | 11.5 |
16th | St. Albans School | 2.5 | 9.5 |
17th | Justice High School | 2 | 10.5 |
18th | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 2 | 9 |
19th | Rockville High School | 2 | 8 |
20th | Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School | 1 | 7 |
21st | James Hubert Blake High School | 1 | 6 |
22nd | The SEED Public Charter School | 0 | 1.5 |
Round 7 will be held on March 8, 2022 at 7:15pm ET (7:30 games start) with matches played on https://lichess.org.
Woodrow Wilson High School – Montgomery Blair High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School – Richard Montgomery High School
McLean High School – Gonzaga College High School
Northwest High School – Rochambeau French Intl. School
St. Albans School – Thomas J. Wootton High School
BASIS DC – South Lakes High School
St. Anselm’s Abbey School – West Springfield High School
Rockville High School – Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Georgetown Preparatory School – Washington International School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey – James Hubert Blake High School
The SEED Public Charter School – Justice High School
Elementary Team League 2021-22: Round 7 Results
- by Chess Center
More than 30 students showed up to St. Luke’s Methodist Church this past weekend to represent their schools in the Elementary Team League. With one round remaining in the competiton, Colvin Run Elementary continues in the lead while White Oaks, Greenbriar West and the fast-rising Spring Hill are locked in a battle for second.


Metro Area Chess League 2021-22: Round 5 Results
- by Chess Center
Another exciting evening of high school league play this evening produced a lot of back-and-forth games. Montgomery Blair High School (Silver Spring, MD) is now back in the sole lead with a 4-0 victory over BASIS DC, their fourth clean sweep in five matches. Woodrow Wilson High School (Washington DC) is in clear second place after their match with Richard Montgomery ended in a 2-2 draw.
BASIS DC 0-4 Montgomery Blair High School
Richard Montgomery High School 2-2 Woodrow Wilson High School
St. Anselm’s Abbey School 1-3 McLean High School
Gonzaga College High School 3-1 South Lakes High School
Thomas J. Wootton High School 2-2 Rochambeau French Intl. School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School 3-1 West Springfield High School
Northwest High School 3-1 Rockville High School
St. Albans School 2.5-1.5 Georgetown Preparatory School
James Hubert Blake High School 1-3 E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Washington International School 3-1 Justice High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey ppd. The SEED Public Charter School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Montgomery Blair High School | 4.5 | 18 |
2nd | Woodrow Wilson High School | 4 | 13 |
3rd (Tie) | McLean High School | 3.5 | 13 |
3rd (Tie) | Richard Montgomery High School | 3.5 | 13 |
5th | Gonzaga College High School | 3.5 | 12.5 |
6th | BASIS DC | 3.5 | 10 |
7th (Tie) | Northwest High School | 3 | 12 |
7th (Tie) | St. Anselm's Abbey School | 3 | 12 |
9th (Tie) | West Springfield High School | 3 | 11 |
9th (Tie) | Thomas S. Wootton High School | 3 | 11 |
11th | South Lakes High School | 2.5 | 10 |
12th | Georgetown Preparatory School | 2.5 | 9 |
13th (Tie) | Rochambeau, the French International School | 2.5 | 8.5 |
13th (Tie) | St. Albans School | 2.5 | 8.5 |
15th (Tie) | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 2 | 8 |
15th (Tie) | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 2 | 8 |
15th (Tie) | Rockville High School | 2 | 8 |
18th | Washington International School | 1.5 | 7.5 |
19th | Justice High School | 1 | 7.5 |
20th | James Hubert Blake High School | 1 | 6 |
21st | Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School | 0 | 2 |
22nd | The SEED Public Charter School | 0 | 1.5 |
One match, Don Bosco Cristo Rey vs. SEED Public Charter School, was postponed. We will update the standings and post Round 6 pairings when that match has been completed.



February 22
Montgomery Blair High School – Thomas J. Wootton High School
McLean High School – Richard Montgomery High School
West Springfield High School School – Northwest High School
Gonzaga College High School – St. Anselm’s Abbey School
South Lakes High School – Col. Zadok Magruder High School
Georgetown Preparatory School – James Hubert Blake High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey – Justice High School
Rockville High School – Washington International School
March 1
Rochambeau French Intl. School – St. Albans School
Woodrow Wilson High School – BASIS DC
The SEED Public Charter School – E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Elementary Team League 2021-22: Round 6 Results
- by Chess Center
With yesterday’s wind and below freezing temperatures in Northern Virginia, it was another day of great “chess weather.” The Elementary Team League returned to its usual playing site at St. Luke’s Methodist Church and we had a near-perfect turnout of ten school teams. Leaders Colvin Run Elementary continued their good form, scoring big wins against the schools that started the day in second and third place in the standings, Kent Gardens and White Oaks.



Two match days remain for this season: February 19 and March 5. Playing in the League is free and open to anyone enrolled in an after-school chess club of ours so if your child is interested, please reach out to their club instructor.
PCSAA Middle School League Spring Season Has Begun
- by Chess Center
The DC Public Charter School Athletic Association’s Middle School Chess League is now back in action for the spring 2022 season. District of Columbia International School (DCI) returns to attempt to defend their title from last year. Also coming back from the prior season are BASIS DC, The Children’s Guild, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, Howard University Middle School of Mathematics & Science, and Meridian Public Charter School.
School | Match Points | Board Points (Tiebreaker) |
---|---|---|
BASIS DC | 6.5 | 44 |
District of Columbia International School | 5 | 40 |
Howard University Middle School of Mathematics & Sciences | 4 | 29.5 |
Meridian Public Charter School | 2 | 18 |
The Children's Guild | 2 | 17.5 |
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 1 | 11 |
Matches are played on Saturdays on lichess.org, and there are 7 matchdays in total scheduled for this season. Those interested can keep track of the results and standings here.
Metro Area Chess League 2021-22: Round 4 Results
- by Chess Center
January 25 marked the fourth match of the Metro Area Chess League season. Leaders Montgomery Blair High School – the only team with a perfect score through the first three rounds – faced Richard Montgomery and were held to their first drawn match, as each team won two games from their four boards. Woodrow Wilson High School and BASIS DC both won their Round 4 matches to join them on 3.5 match points, although Montgomery Blair still holds the board points tiebreaker.
Montgomery Blair High School 2 – 2 Richard Montgomery High School
Wilson High School 2.5 – 1.5 Gonzaga College High School
EL Haynes Public Charter School 1 – 3 BASIS DC
Washington International School 1 – 3 St. Anselms Abbey School
McLean High School 2 – 2 Rochambeau French Intl. School
Georgetown Preparatory School 1 – 3 Thomas J. Wootton High School
James Hubert Blake High School 1 – 3 Rockville High School
Justice High School 1.5 – 2.5 Col. Zadok Magruder High School
West Springfield High School 2 – 2 South Lakes High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey 0 – 4 Northwest High School
The SEED Public Charter School 0 – 4 St. Albans School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Montgomery Blair High School | 3.5 | 14 |
2nd | Woodrow Wilson High School | 3.5 | 11 |
3rd | BASIS DC | 3.5 | 10 |
4th (Tie) | Richard Montgomery High School | 3 | 11 |
4th (Tie) | St. Anselm's Abbey School | 3 | 11 |
6th | McLean High School | 2.5 | 10 |
7th | Gonzaga College High School | 2.5 | 9.5 |
8th (Tie) | South Lakes High School | 2.5 | 9 |
8th (Tie) | Thomas S. Wootton High School | 2.5 | 9 |
10th | Georgetown Preparatory School | 2.5 | 7.5 |
11th | Northwest High School | 2 | 9 |
12th | West Springfield High School | 2 | 8 |
13th (Tie) | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 2 | 7 |
13th (Tie) | Rockville High School | 2 | 7 |
15th | Rochambeau, the French International School | 2 | 6.5 |
16th | St. Albans School | 1.5 | 6 |
17th | Justice High School | 1 | 6.5 |
18th (Tie) | James Hubert Blake High School | 1 | 5 |
18th (Tie) | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 1 | 5 |
20th | Washington International School | 0.5 | 4.5 |
21st | Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School | 0 | 2 |
22nd | The SEED Public Charter School | 0 | 1.5 |
This is the game from board 1 of the Richard Montgomery – Montgomery Blair match, after 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 Bf5 4. h4 h6 5. g4 Be4 6. f3 Bh7 7. Bd3 Bxd3 8. Qxd3 e6 9. h5 c5 10. c3 Nc6 11. Ne2 Qb6 12. f4 Rc8 13. Nd2 cxd4 14. cxd4 Nb4 15. Qb1 Nc2+ 16. Kf2 Ne7 17. Nf3 Nxa1 18. Qxa1 Nc6 19. a3 Na5 20. Qb1 Bxa3 21. g5 Be7 22. f5 exf5 23. Qxf5 Qe6 24. Qd3 Nc4 25. Nf4 Qd7. Up to the previous move, Black had defended well against White’s attacks, but with the last move, White has the chance to gain an advantage.

26. e6 opens up Black’s king, since now …fxe6 27. Qg6+ wins Black’s queen or mates. Instead the game continued 26….Qd6 27. exf7+ Kd8 28. Ng6 Rf8 29. Nxf8 Bxf8 30. Re1 Be7 31. Qf5 Qd7 32. f8=Q+ Bxf8 33. Qxf8+ Kc7 34. Bf4+ Kb6 35. Qb4+ Qb5 36. Re6+ Rc6 37. Qxb5+ Kxb5 38. Rxc6 Kxc6 39. gxh6 gxh6 40. Bxh6 Kd6 41. b3 Na5 42. Bf8+ Ke6 43. Ng5+ Kf5 44. h6 Nxb3 45. h7 Kxg5 46. h8=Q a5 47. Qg8+ Kf6 48. Qxd5 a4 49. Qxb7 and Black resigned. 1-0.

Board 1 in the McLean-Rochambeau match began: 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 3. c4 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bg5 dxc4 6. e4 Be7 7. Bxc4 h6 8. Bh4 cxd4 9. Qxd4 Nc6 10. Qxd8+ Bxd8 11. O-O O-O 12. Rfd1 a6 13. Rac1 b5 14. Bb3 Bb7 15. e5 Ng4 16. Bg3 b4 17. Na4 h5 18. Nc5 Bc8 giving rise to the position on the right. Can you spot an idea for White to gain an advantage?
19. Nxe6 Bxe6 20. Bxe6 fxe6 21. Rxc6 and White will be two pawns ahead.
The game concluded 21…Re8 22. Rdd6 Ba5 23. h3 Nh6 24. Rxa6 Rxa6 25. Rxa6 Bc7 26. Nd4 Kf7 27. Nb5 Re7 28. Bh4 Rd7 29. Ra7 Nf5 30. Bg3 h4 31. Bf4 g5 32. Bxg5 Kg6 33. Nxc7 Rd1+ 34. Kh2 Kxg5 35. Nxe6+ Kg6 36. Nf4+ Kg5 37. Ne2 Re1 38. f4+ Kg6 39. Ng1 Rf1 40. Nf3 Ra1 41. a3 bxa3 42. bxa3 Rc1 43. a4 Rc4 44. a5 Rxf4 45. a6 Ra4 46. Ra8 Kf7 47. a7 Ke7 48. Rh8 1-0.
Round 5 will be held on February 8, 2022 at 7:15pm ET (7:30 games start) with matches played on https://lichess.org.
BASIS DC – Montgomery Blair High School
Richard Montgomery High School – Woodrow Wilson High School
St. Anselm’s Abbey School – McLean High School
Gonzaga College High School – South Lakes High School
Thomas J. Wootton High School – Rochambeau French Intl. School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School – West Springfield High School
Northwest High School – Rockville High School
St. Albans School – Georgetown Preparatory School
James Hubert Blake High School – E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
Washington International School – Justice High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey – The SEED Public Charter School
Elementary Team League 2021-22: Round 5 Results
- by Chess Center
Yesterday, January 22, was the fifth matchday of this season’s Elementary Team League. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church again played host. With two straight 4-0 victories, Colvin Run Elementary (Vienna, VA) extended their lead at the top of the season standings.

Metro Area Chess League 2021-22: Round 3 Results
- by Chess Center
Following our winter break, the Metro Area Chess League resumed on lichess yesterday evening. Montgomery Blair High School (Silver Spring, MD) is now in the solo lead after its third consecutive clean sweep of all four boards.
Rockville High School 0-4 Montgomery Blair High School
South Lakes High School 1-3 McLean High School
BASIS DC 2.5-1.5 Georgetown Preparatory School
Thomas S. Wootton High School 1-3 Gonzaga College High School
Rochambeau, the French International School 2.5-1.5 Washington International School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School 0.5-3.5 Woodrow Wilson High School
James Hubert Blake High School 0-4 St. Anselm’s Abbey School
St. Albans School 0-4 West Springfield High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School 3-1 Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School
Northwest High School 4-0 The SEED Public Charter School
Richard Montgomery High School 4-0 Justice High School
Place | School | Total Match Points | Total Board Points |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Montgomery Blair High School | 3 | 12 |
2nd | Richard Montgomery High School | 2.5 | 9 |
3rd | Woodrow Wilson High School | 2.5 | 8.5 |
4th | BASIS DC | 2.5 | 7 |
5th (Tie) | McLean High School | 2 | 8 |
5th (Tie) | St. Anselm's Abbey School | 2 | 8 |
7th | South Lakes High School | 2 | 7 |
8th | Georgetown Preparatory School | 1.5 | 7.5 |
9th (Tie) | West Springfield High School | 1.5 | 6 |
9th (Tie) | Thomas S. Wootton High School | 1.5 | 6 |
11th | Gonzaga College High School | 1.5 | 5 |
12th | Rochambeau, the French International School | 1.5 | 4.5 |
13th | Justice High School | 1 | 6 |
14th | Northwest High School | 1 | 5 |
15th | Col. Zadok Magruder High School | 1 | 4.5 |
16th (Tie) | James Hubert Blake High School | 1 | 4 |
16th (Tie) | Rockville High School | 1 | 4 |
16th (Tie) | E.L. Haynes Public Charter School | 1 | 4 |
19th (Tie) | Washington International School | 0.5 | 3.5 |
19th (Tie) | St. Albans School | 0.5 | 2 |
21st | Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School | 0 | 2 |
22nd | The SEED Public Charter School | 0 | 1.5 |
Round 4 will be held on January 25, 2022 at 7:15pm ET (7:30 games start) with matches played on https://lichess.org.
Montgomery Blair High School – Richard Montgomery High School
Wilson High School – Gonzaga College High School
EL Haynes Public Charter School – BASIS DC
Washington International School – St. Anselms Abbey School
McLean High School – Rochambeau French Intl. School
Georgetown Preparatory School – Thomas J. Wootton High School
James Hubert Blake High School – Rockville High School
Justice High School – Col. Zadok Magruder High School
West Springfield High School – South Lakes High School
Don Bosco Cristo Rey – Northwest High School
The SEED Public Charter School – St. Albans School