This past weekend, eighteen of our students returned from the national chess championships with more than just tournament results—they brought back memories of hard-fought battles, moments of brilliance, and experiences that will shape their chess journeys for years to come. Competing against the best young players in the country across multiple sections, our team demonstrated not only their chess skills but also their resilience, sportsmanship, and dedication to the game we all love.
More Than a Tournament: A Community Experience.
While the games themselves were intense and competitive, what truly made this weekend special was how it brought our chess family closer together. Parents, coaches, and students traveled together, shared meals between rounds, and created bonds that extended far beyond the 64 squares of the chessboard.
In the hallways between games, families exchanged encouragement and advice. Coaches huddled with students to review critical positions, not just pointing out mistakes but celebrating creative ideas and bold decisions. Parents who had never met before found themselves analyzing games together, united by their children’s shared passion for chess. This sense of community—of being part of something larger than any individual tournament—is what makes these championship experiences truly invaluable.
Each student walked away with personal takeaways that will serve them well in future competitions: lessons about time management, the importance of staying focused under pressure, how to bounce back from a tough loss, and the confidence that comes from competing at the highest level. These are the kinds of lessons that transcend chess and prepare our students for success in all areas of life.
The Numbers Tell an Impressive Story
Looking at our team’s overall performance, the statistics are remarkable:
18 students competed across multiple sections
Average rating gain of 124.8 points per student
Average score of 4.4 out of 7 games
Average performance rating of 1135
These numbers represent significant collective growth. An average rating gain of nearly 125 points across the entire team is exceptional. It demonstrates that our students are not just participating—they’re improving, learning, and rising to meet the challenge of elite competition.
Standout Performances:
Richard Rogov — 1st Place U1300
Richard Rogov delivered a brilliant result in the K-5 Champs section, claiming 1st Place in the U1300 category with a score of 3.5/7 and gaining +169 rating points, finishing with a 1488 post-rating and a performance rating of 1741. A truly dominant tournament.
Nolan Xie — 4th Place Out of 248 Players
Nolan Xie put on a masterclass in the K-6 U800 section, scoring 6 out of 7 and finishing 4th out of 248 players. Nolan gained an astounding +305 rating points, jumping from 681 all the way to 986. Watch out for this rising star.
Easton Ren — 8th Place Out of 205 Players
Easton Ren competed in one of the toughest fields — the K-3 Champs section — and finished 8th out of 205 playerswith a score of 5.5/7, gaining +134 rating points and posting a performance rating of 1753. A phenomenal showing.
Ethan Hu — +266 Rating Points
Ethan Hu had a breakout nationals performance in the K-3 U1000 section, scoring 4.5/7 and gaining +266 rating points, crossing the 1000 barrier for the first time with a post-rating of 940.
Austin Wang — 10th Place Out of 258 Players
Austin Wang competed strongly in the K-1 U500 section, finishing 10th out of 258 players with a score of 6/7 and gaining +154 rating points.
Lewis Ma — 3rd Place U1500
Lewis Ma claimed 3rd Place in the U1500 category in the K-5 Champs section, scoring 4/7 and gaining +121 rating points, finishing with a post-rating of 1645 and a performance rating of 1841.
Yaseen Helmy — 3rd Place U1400
Yaseen Helmy earned 3rd Place in the U1400 category in the K-6 Champs section, gaining +138 rating points and finishing with a post-rating of 1456 and a performance rating of 1612.
Aryan Pande — 3rd Place Blitz Out of 54 Players
Aryan Pande earned 3rd Place in the Blitz section out of 54 players while also competing in K-3 Champs, gaining +126 rating points and posting an impressive performance rating of 1601.
Every Student Had Their Moment
While we celebrate our award winners, it’s equally important to recognize that every single student who competed this weekend played at least one game they can be truly proud of. Chess improvement isn’t always reflected in final scores or trophy placements—it shows up in the quality of individual moves, in tactical shots that were found, in endgames that were converted, and in the fighting spirit displayed even in difficult positions.
Ethan Hu gained an impressive 266 rating points, showing tremendous growth. Skyler Qin, Harvey Wang, and Kruti Thanikonda all demonstrated their competitive mettle in the challenging Champs sections. Sidarth Sharma, Avik Sharma, and Avyan Pande each had moments of brilliance that their coaches noted and celebrated.
Our coaches observed countless examples of chess maturity throughout the weekend: students who found beautiful tactical combinations, who demonstrated patience in complex endgames, who showed courage by playing aggressively when the position demanded it, and who displayed grace in both victory and defeat. These moments of growth—a well-calculated sacrifice, a precisely executed plan, a defensive resource found in a critical moment—are what chess development is truly about.
Full Team Results
| Player | Section | Score | Award | Rating Change | Post Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yaseen Helmy | K-6 Champs | 3/7 | 3rd U1400 | +138 | 1456 |
| Jake Bravenboer | K-5 Champs | 3/7 | – | -13 | 1550 |
| Lewis Ma | K-5 Champs | 4/7 | 3rd U1500 | +121 | 1645 |
| Kruti Thanikonda | K-5 Champs | 4/7 | – | +19 | 1518 |
| Richard Rogov | K-5 Champs | 3.5/7 | 1st U1300 | +169 | 1488 |
| Easton Ren | K-3 Champs | 5.5/7 | 8th/205 Players | +134 | 1648 |
| Harvey Wang | K-3 Champs | 4/7 | – | +10 | 1473 |
| Aryan Pande | K-3 Champs | 4.5/7 | 3rd Blitz/54 | +126 | 1478 |
| Skyler Qin | K-3 Champs | 4/7 | – | +66 | 1328 |
| Sidarth Sharma | K-6 U1000 | 4.5/7 | – | +73 | 946 |
| Nolan Xie | K-6 U800 | 6/7 | 4th/248 Players | +305 | 986 |
| Avik Sharma | K-6 U600 | 3/7 | – | -27 | 405 |
| Ethan Hu | K-3 U1000 | 4.5/7 | – | +266 | 940 |
| Dylan Zhang | K-1 U500 | 5/7 | 30th/258 Players | +121 | 582 |
| Agasthya Shanmukh Konduri | K-1 U500 | 5/7 | 41st/258 Players | +122 | 532 |
| Austin Wang | K-1 U500 | 6/7 | 10th/258 Players | +154 | 590 |
Looking Forward
As we reflect on this championship weekend, we’re filled with pride—not just for the trophies and awards, but for the growth we witnessed in every student. The lessons learned this weekend will resonate far beyond the tournament hall. Our students now know they can compete with the best, that they can overcome adversity, and that they’re part of a supportive community that celebrates both individual achievement and collective progress.
The bonds formed between families and coaches this weekend have strengthened our chess community in ways that will benefit everyone moving forward. The confidence gained, the lessons learned, and the memories created will fuel our students’ passion for chess and set them up for continued success in future tournaments.
To all our students: you represented our program with skill, sportsmanship, and heart. We’re incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Here’s to the next challenge, the next tournament, and the next opportunity to grow together as a chess family!
