McLean – DeMatha Poolesville – Hayfield West Springfield – McKinley Tech Girls Global Academy – Rockville Bishop McNamara – St. Albans Marshall – Jackson-Reed Don Bosco Cristo Rey – Magruder Chantilly – St. John’s Langley – Rochambeau E.L. Haynes – St. Anselm’s Georgetown Prep – Richard Montgomery Gonzaga – BASIS DC Arlington Career Center – Montgomery Blair
In some places, school has started. In others, it is about to begin. For any local student, however, the last Sunday of August means that the Theophilus Thompson Club brings students in grades 7-12 together for chess.
Kids who enjoy the game and want to improve arrived in McLean yesterday for practice, lessons, and socializing. They played some blitz, as well as a game with a normal tournament time control. We discussed the strategy of the game and found some cool tactics.
This year, we plan to have students compete in the National High School Championships in April in Baltimore. We also are working on organizing internet matches with students from other countries and, if things go well, travel abroad for in-person matches as we have in previous years.
The Club meets nearly every Sunday from now through the end of the school year. Online registration is available for those who wish to join us.
Metro Area Chess League participant Col. Zadok Magruder High School is in the middle of their spring chess competition. Games are taking place in the auditorium during the school day, and Magruder’s chess club sponsor, Mr. Sanders, has put in the effort to set the event up for streaming. The games can be followed live on the school’s YouTube channel. The semifinals and finals are currently set for May 17 and 24, respectively.
We are very pleased to see school faculty members devoting time, space and energy to promote chess among students.
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)
As winter turns into spring, the chess tournament calendar is in full swing. Below, students in our Theophilius Thompson Club (for students in grade 7-12) are practicing on Sunday afternoon. At least three of our Sunday students will be participating in the National High School Championship in two weeks in downtown Washington.
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.
Round 7 Results
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
Standings After Round 7
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
Round 8 Pairings
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
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.
Round 6 Results
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
Standings After Round 6
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
Round 7 Pairings
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
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.
Round 5 Results
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
Standings After Round 5
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
Round 6 Pairings
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
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.
Round 4 Results
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
Standings After Round 4
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
Round 5 Pairings
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
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.
Round 3 Results
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 2.5-1.5St. 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
Standings After Round 3
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
Round 4 Pairings
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
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.
Round 2 Results
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
Standings After Round 2
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
Round 3 Pairings
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
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.
Round 1 Results
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
Standings After Round 1
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
Round 2 Pairings
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
Three students from Sunday Chess attended the 2022 National High School Championships in Memphis over the weekend. The tournament had been cancelled for the previous two years because of the pandemic, so there was a lot of pent-up enthusiasm for this year’s event.
This was the third Nationals Anish attended, but the first major national for Zach and Ret. All three had wonderful experiences and are more prepared for the series of national championships coming up in the DC area over the next few years.
The tournament was run exceptionally well, with professional staff handling every detail efficiently. The rounds started on time, the side events were fun for the students, and the conditions of play were the best ever for a scholastic tournament. We look forward to spectacular events at National Harbor in December and in downtown DC next March.
Posted below is a win of Zach’s from the first half of the competition. Zach, playing the black pieces, managed to hold on against an intimidating attack during the first 25 moves.
White is down a piece, but looks as though he will regain it after 26. Ne7+ Kf8 27. Qxe5 Bxe5 28. Nc6 . However, Zach’s 28….Ra6 kept him in the driver’s seat, since after 29. Nxa5 b4 30. cxb4 Bxb2, the pin on the a5-knight means that White can’t stop Black’s dangerous c-pawn without losing material.
Instead, White played 29. f4, and the game concluded: 29…Rxc6 30. fxe5 Nb7 31. Ra7 Rb6 32. exd6 Nxd6 33. h4 Ne4 34. g4 Nc5 35. Kg2 Na4 36. Kf3 Nxb2 37. Ke4 Nd3 38. Kd5 Kg7 39. g5 Re6 40. Rb7 Re5+ 41. Kd4 Rf5 42. Rb6 Nc5 43. Ke3 Na4 and White resigned. 0-1
The full set of results from the 2022 tournament is available here.
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.
The Montgomery Blair team posing with the winner's trophy.
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.
Playoff Results
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 2-2Gonzaga College High School
Montgomery Blair High School 3-1 Richard Montgomery High School
The Denker Tournament of High School Champions is an annual invitational event for the champions of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Named for the late Grandmaster Arnold Denker, a former U.S. Champion and a tireless promoter of chess among young people, the tournament has been one of the most prestigious national events for students in grades 9-12 since its inception 38 years ago.
The Dewain Barber National Tournament of Middle School Champions, now in its 12th year, is the corresponding annual event for students in grades 6-8. This year both the Denker and Barber tournaments will be held in the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California, from July 30 – August 2. This coming Saturday, April 2, Washington, DC will hold its qualification tournaments to determine who will represent the District in these events.
The qualifiers will be held at the DC Housing Finance Agency at 815 Florida Ave., NW., Washington DC 20001. The event is open to DC residents only, and is nationally rated by the U.S. Chess Federation, so participants must join the USCF if they are not already members. Proof of COVID vaccination is required to participate.
The entry fee is $20. This is a four-round Swiss system tournament with time control: Game/25 + 10. Players should bring clocks if they have them. The first round starts at 1 P.M.
We have a week of March still ahead of us, but one Final Four has already been set. The Metro Area Chess League concluded its regular season yesterday night with Montgomery Blair High School (Silver Spring, MD), Richard Montgomery High School (Rockville, MD), Gonzaga College High School (Washington, D.C.) and Woodrow Wilson High School (Washington, D.C.) wrapping up the top four places and earning tickets to the playoffs this coming Saturday in Silver Spring.
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.
Round 8 Results
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
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.
Round 7 Results
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
Standings After Round 7
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 7 Highlights
St. Albans - Wootton Board 1
Northwest - Rochambeau Board 3
Wilson - Montgomery Blair Board 1
Round 8 Pairings
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
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.
Round 6 Results
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
Standings After Round 6
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 Pairings
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
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.
Round 5 Results
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
Standings After Round 5
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.
Round 5 Highlights
Wooton-Rochambeau Board 3
Gonzaga-South Lakes Board 1
Gonzaga-South Lakes Board 4
Round 6 Pairings
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
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.
Round 3 Results
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
Standings After Round 3
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 Pairings
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
Tuesday evening was Round 2 of the Metro Area Chess League. Students from 22 high school teams from the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Maryland showed up on lichess to compete.
In a closely matched field, Montgomery Blair High School (Silver Spring, MD) and South Lakes High School (Reston, VA) are the only schools to win both of their matches so far and sit atop the standings with 2 match points each. Last night Montgomery Blair swept all four boards for the second round in a row and so holds the board points tiebreaker with 8 points out of a possible 8, with South Lakes in second with 6. Just behind them, Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda, MD) leads a group of six schools tied with 1.5 match points.
Round 2 Results & League Standings
Place
School
Round 2 Board Points
Round 2 Match Points
Total Board Points
Total Match Points
1st
Montgomery Blair High School
4
1
8
2
2nd
South Lakes High School
3
1
6
2
3rd
Georgetown Preparatory School
4
1
6
1.5
4th (Tie)
Gonzaga College High School
2
.5
5
1.5
4th (Tie)
Thomas S. Wootton High School
2
.5
5
1.5
4th (Tie)
Richard Montgomery High School
3
1
5
1.5
4th (Tie)
Woodrow Wilson High School
3
1
5
1.5
8th
BASIS DC
2.5
1
4.5
1.5
9th (Tie)
Justice High School
1
0
5
1
9th (Tie)
McLean High School
4
1
5
1
11th (Tie)
James Hubert Blake High School
1
0
4
1
11th (Tie)
Rockville High School
2
.5
4
1
11th (Tie)
St. Anselm's Abbey School
2
.5
4
1
11th (Tie)
Col. Zadok Magruder High School
3
1
4
1
15th (Tie)
Rochambeau, the French International School
0
0
2
.5
15th (Tie)
West Springfield High School
0
0
2
.5
15th (Tie)
St. Albans School
2
.5
2
.5
15th (Tie)
Washington International School
2
.5
2
.5
19th
The SEED Public Charter School
1.5
0
1.5
0
20th (Tie)
Northwest High School
0
0
1
0
20th (Tie)
Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School
1
0
1
0
20th (Tie)
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School
1
0
1
0
Teams are ranked by Match Points, then by Board Points.
Round 2 Highlights
Board 1: Justice vs. South Lakes Board 1: Richard Montgomery vs. Blake Board 1: SEED vs. BASIS DC
Round 3 Pairings
Round 3 will be held on January 11, 2022 at 7:15pm ET (7:30 games start)
with matches played on https://lichess.org.
Rockville High School vs. Montgomery Blair High School
South Lakes High School vs. McLean High School
BASIS DC vs. Georgetown Preparatory School
Richard Montgomery High School vs. Justice High School
Thomas S. Wootton High School vs. Gonzaga College High School
Rochambeau, the French International School vs. Washington International School
Col. Zadok Magruder High School vs. Woodrow Wilson High School
James Hubert Blake High School vs. St. Anselm’s Abbey School
St. Albans School vs. West Springfield High School
E.L. Haynes Public Charter School vs. Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School
Northwest High School vs. The SEED Public Charter School
The qualifying tournaments were held this past Saturday, May 22nd, outdoors on the Catholic University campus. Organized by DC Chess League Scholastic Coordinator Robin Ramson and directed by David Mehler, ten players braved the sunshine and cicadas for a morning of excellent competition.
This Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 9:30 am ET, the qualifiers for the Denker (grades 9-12) and Barber (grades 6-8) Tournaments of Champions will be held outdoors at Catholic University’s Edward J. Pryzbyla Center (on the patio), weather permitting.
All competitors must also be members of the US Chess Federation to play, and due to COVID-19 and space restrictions, each category (students in grades 6-8 for the Barber, grades 9-12 for the Denker) is limited to a maximum of 16 players. Masks will be required at all times during the tournament or you will be asked to leave and will be disqualified. No exceptions.
The inaugural season of the DC Public Charter High School chess league concluded on Tuesday, May 11th, and went well. Among three teams it was close throughout, and Somerset is ready to be competitive in the fall.
In the fall, we will be re-launching the Metro Area Chess League (MACL) for all interested high schools in the DC metropolitan area. The 2021-2022 MACL season will begin in mid-November 2021 and conclude with play-offs at the end of March 2022. Schools that want to participate should send us a note at: hs-league@chessctr.org
We also welcome high school students to our Sunday Chess class. Registration for the Fall 2021 session will begin in late August 2021.
