Last Saturday, the Chanute High School chess team hosted the third annual Community Chess Challenge, a six-round tournament that welcomed competitors of all ages and skill levels. Over 50 attendees, including former team members, parents and rivals, gathered to celebrate the game of chess and its enduring community impact.
Bob Larson, the first coach of the CHS chess team, was one of the competitors. Larson, who founded the team in 1980, reflected on the growth of the program, which has since won several state championships and participated in a few national tournaments.
“The experience was a lot of fun, especially reconnecting with former team members and seeing how much they’ve grown,” Larson said. “Chess teaches you to set goals, adapt and learn from both wins and losses, which benefits you in many areas of life, including education and social skills.”
Drew Schoenberger and Peyton Gregg took the tournament’s top prizes for the second consecutive year, finishing first and second place, respectively. Both players received wooden plaques made by Caleb Boulware’s STREAM class at Royster Middle School, and Drew was awarded a fivepound Hershey’s chocolate bar, thanks to a donation from Isabelle “Wheels” O’Brien. Larson secured third place with 5 points, while Frontenac’s Sean Bullmer claimed fourth and Brayden Baker rounded out the top five.
The event was more than just a competition. According to Kyle Gregg, the current team coach, “This event was about more than just competition; it was a celebration of community, camaraderie and a shared love of chess. Seeing players of all ages and skill levels come together was truly inspiring. … To everyone who participated, cheered, or supported behind the scenes, thank you for making this event a huge success. We can’t wait to do it all again next year.”
