Sparta Chess Club checks into high gear

Sparta - The Sparta Chess Club gained top honors in three recent state level events.The high-school team, playing in its first event, placed second in the N.J. High School Reserve Championship. The team defeated Columbia, Christian Brothers, Cherry Hill East and Union County Tech, before finishing in a tie with Cherry Hill West and placing second on tie breakers. Michael Sobin and Kyle Ross went undefeated, and, along with Steven Matchett, received individual recognition. Bryce Bartling also contributed to the team’s success with a winning record. Colby Isenberg, Danny O’ Sullivan and Natasha Sica led the Sparta Middle School team to a fourth-place finish in the N.J. K-9 Championship. Scott VanderVeen, John Irwin, Matt Finkle, Luke Giugliano and Billy Kerbel rounded out the team. O’ Sullivan’s comeback win in the last round assured the team a top four finish for the third consecutive year. The sixth-grade team from the middle school finished fifth at the N.J. Elementary Championship. Brian Wilkie and Robert Tessier led the effort, assisted by Eric Jordan, Brian DeRitter, Sean DiStefano and John Kalman. Mohawk Avenue School was represented by Eryk Banatt, Luke Giugliano, Sasha Jouravlev and Billy Kerbel. The club will hold its spring tournament at Sparta Middle School on Saturday, April 1. The event is open to all ages, and players will be grouped according to ability. For information, send e-mail to TomM@spartachessclub.org.