The Fountain Valley School District’s annual middle school chess tournament took place May 2 at Fulton Middle School.
Thirty-two players, 15 from Masuda and 17 from Fulton, participated, marking the tournament’s second- highest attendance in its five-year history.
Students prepared each week through chess clubs at their schools led by librarians Stephanie Miller at Masuda and Karlyna Macey at Fulton.
This year’s theme was Harry Potter as May 2nd is International Harry Potter Day, celebrated annually to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. Decorations, cupcakes, and snacks all added to the theme.
The tournament featured four rounds, with players competing in beginner, intermediate or advanced divisions based on skill level and Elo ratings from Chess.com or ChessKid.com. Winners were determined by cumulative scores after the fourth round.
Each participant received a medal and personalized certificate, while the top three finishers in each division earned trophies.
The Fountain Valley Chess Club officiated the tournament and was a huge help with decorations, snacks, and other tournament items. Members of the Fountain Valley High School chess club also officiated/assisted.
Volunteers from both groups made the event possible and a success.
The Fountain Valley Chess Club meets Friday nights starting at 5:30 p.m. upstairs at the Fountain Valley Senior Center (17967 Bushard St.).
Masuda’s participants included Daniel Doan, Ethan Godlasky, Andy Ho, Sophia Hoang, Andrew Ibarra, Caleb Jauregui, Sriyan Javia, George Kailajian, Atharva Khanuja, Anai Korwarkar, Khang Phan, Nil Sahim, Evan Sakamoto, Muhammad Hamza Shafoat, and Sam Vorlop.
Fulton’s participants included Thomas Le, Zander Le, Damon Mai, Jason Mai, Donovan Melad, William Muth, Hau Nguyen, Jackson Nguyen, Phu Nguyen, Benjamin Ou, Henry Phan, Andrew Rizk, Jordan Tran, Alvin Vo, Jake Yano, Camden Yao, and Sean Yukihiro.
DIVISION WINNERS WERE:
Advanced: Sriyan Javia, first place; Muhammad Hamza Shafoat, second place; and Zander Le, third place.
Intermediate: Hau Nguyen, first place; Jake Yano, second place; and Donovan Melad, third place.
Beginner: Phu Nguyen, first place; Andy Ho, second place; and Damon Mai, third place.
A huge congratulations to all participants who all showed incredible strategic thinking and sportsmanship.
The spring 2027 tournament looks forward seeing its returning players come back, and welcoming new ones who will be starting middle school this coming school year.