Gainesville’s first-ever open chess tourney has huge turnout of players from all over

There were 55 participants who competed in the March 24 Bulldog Trebuchet, the first-ever chess event held at Gainesville. The event was split into elementary, middle, high school and adult divisions. 

Elementary teams

First place: Dent Phelps, 6 points;

Second place: Willow Springs, 5 points;

Third place: Gainesville, 4 points.

Middle school teams

First place: Willow Springs, 16.5 points;

Second place: Dent Phelps, 13.5 points;

Third place: Gainesville, 6 points;

Fourth place: Bakersfield, 3 points.

High school teams

First place: West Plains, 15.5 points;

Second place: Willow Springs, 14.5 points;

Third place: Gainesville, 13.5 points;

Fourth place: Ava, 11 points;

Fifth place: Cabool, 10 points.

Gainesville’s awards

The Gainesville Bulldogs showed up strong taking third place in the teams divisions for elementary, middle and high school divisions. 

GES student Dante Thome of Gainesville took first place individually in his first-ever chess tournament. His score was high enough to place third if he’d entered solo as a team of one, organizers say.

Maycen Bailey and Aiden Thome contributed to the middle school team win. 

Gainesville High School was represented well by student players BreAnna Rowland, Chris Strain, Macray Hambelton, Peyton Hathcock, Aaron Kahl, Eddie White, Maddy Loftis, Madelynn Corbin and Jaxon McQuigg. 

Eddie White, Aaron Kahl and Peyton Hathcock contributed to the high school team placing.

Hathcock placed tenth individually and Kahl placed eighth individually. 

Gainesville alumnus, Jamon Crisp, placed third in the adult division.

“The future of chess is looking bright, and we look forward to hosting another event next school year,” said Amanda Skaggs, the GHS chess team advisor.