Recently the NDA Chess Club competed in the state chess tournament. The team took 3rd in Division 3 out of 12 teams and 12th place overall out of 28 teams.

The tournament was held at UW-Oshkosh on the weekend of March 23.

In order for the team to attend the tournament, they held a blitz tournament as a fundraiser where anyone could sign up and pay to play. The winner of that tournament was also offered an alternate position on the state team.

Chess Club adviser Greg Geiser said, “The experience was good,” and he enjoyed “watching the guys come together.” 

Team members this year were Gavin Gretzinger, Sean Giganti, Jair Rincon-Smith and Austin Connaher. 

Even though the team took third, there are individual player rankings depending on the board number on which they played on. 

The board numbers are based on skill and seeding, meaning the players with the best records in the initial games play on board 1 and so on.

Giganti and Gretzinger finished in the Top Ten for boards one and two. Smith and Connaher placed in the top 20.

Gretzinger emphasized how it was an enjoyable and beneficial experience.

 “​​Both the team and I had great showings, and it was a great experience for all of us,” said Gretzinger.

This was the club’s 2nd time going to the state tournament.

“The players really stepped up,” added Geiser.