On Saturday, December 7, Newton Middle School was abuzz with strategic excitement as it hosted the annual LPS K–8 Chess Tournament. With 158 players from kindergarten through eighth grade, the event showcased the talent and determination of our young chess enthusiasts. Across five non-elimination rounds, 39 simultaneous games filled the day with competitive spirit and camaraderie.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Newton Middle School for providing the venue, as well as the gifted/talented and Newton Middle School staff for ensuring the event ran smoothly. Special recognition goes to Kecelyn Santiago-Ortiz, our administrative support and unofficial photographer, and Karthika Sakthi, our tournament master. Thank you also to the coaches from Kings of Chess for their support and expertise.

We also extend our gratitude to the high school students who volunteered, giving their time and energy as coaches and mentors to guide participants throughout the day.

This event exemplifies the collaborative and inclusive spirit of our district. Congratulations to all participants!

Individual Winners

Kindergarten–First Grade Division
1st Place: Julian Okken, Gaskill Elementary School
2nd Place: Ian Liffrig, Gaskill Elementary School
3rd Place: Finn Wise, Charles Hay World School, Englewood Public Schools
4th Place: Anthony Rumsa, Ford Elementary School
5th Place: Harrison Moldane, Wilder Elementary School
6th Place: Jackson Park, Littleton Academy
7th Place: Emma Wolford, Runyon Elementary School
8th Place: Jonathan Gonzalez Damian, Gaskill Elementary School

Sportsmanship Medals
Finn Wise, Charles Hay World School, Englewood Public Schools

Second Grade Division
1st Place: James Bednorz, Hopkins Elementary School
2nd Place: Asher Krebs, Sandburg Elementary School
3rd Place: Henry Bertuleit, Hopkins Elementary School
4th Place: Jetter Haynie, Wilder Elementary School
5th Place: Jamie DeMarco, Wilder Elementary School
6th Place: Aila Rolling, Runyon Elementary School
7th Place: Henry Patton, Gaskill Elementary School
8th Place: Scarlett Montano, Runyon Elementary School

Kings of Chess Honorable Mention Medal
Elliot Smith, Runyon Elementary School

Sportsmanship Medals
Adelaide Krasin, Runyon Elementary School

Third Grade Division
1st Place: Joshua North, Sandburg Elementary School
2nd Place: Joey Vargas, Wilder Elementary School
3rd Place: Lachlan McNulty, Ford Elementary School
4th Place: Archer Alldredge, Sandburg Elementary School
5th Place: Ansel Stewart, Runyon Elementary School
6th Place: Aiden Davydov, Runyon Elementary School
7th Place: Ivan Sienknecht, Sandburg Elementary School
8th Place: Finn Schulz, Lenski Elementary School

Sportsmanship Medals
Hattie Melin, Runyon Elementary School
Cooper Schulte, Gaskill Elementary School
James Rembold, Runyon Elementary School

Fourth Grade Division
1st Place: Owen Hendrix, Gaskill Elementary School
2nd Place: Adam Dix, Ford Elementary School
3rd Place: Sawyer Newman, Littleton Academy
4th Place: Bode Casinelli, Littleton Academy
5th Place: Damien Nunes, Littleton Academy
6th Place: Evan Winkle, Littleton Preparatory
7th Place: Peter Geigle, Wilder Elementary School
8th Place: Lucca Pehrson, Lenski Elementary School

Kings of Chess Honorable Mention Medal
Andrew Liffrig, Gaskill Elementary School
Ellis Eymer, Gaskill Elementary School
Odin Walborn, Little Raven Elementary School
Caitlin O’Donnell, Gaskill Elementary School

Sportsmanship Medals
Nellie Gladue, Hopkins Elementary School
Sofia Gzym, Runyon Elementary School

Fifth Grade Division
1st Place: Quinn Russell, Littleton Preparatory
2nd Place: Kellan Affatica, Hopkins Elementary School
3rd Place: Sullivan Troch, Lenski Elementary School
4th Place: Leif Pehrson, Lenski Elementary School
5th Place: Samuel Nelson, Field Elementary School
6th Place: Josiah “Cy” Priest, Centennial Academy
7th Place: Arlo Wilkoff, Hopkins Elementary School
8th Place: Maxwell Kroeker, Sandburg Elementary School

Kings of Chess Honorable Mention Medal
Bodie Gleason, Littleton Preparatory
Riley Pace, Sandburg Elementary School
Agota Rumsa, Ford Elementary School
Jacob White, Lenski Elementary School

Sportsmanship Medals
Owen Bise, Gaskill Elementary School
Jacob White, Lenski Elementary School

Sixth–Eighth Grade Division
1st Place: Brandon Moore, Newton Middle School
2nd Place: Shankar Parasuram, Littleton Academy
3rd Place: Zoë Herring, Newton Middle School
4th Place: Jake Schnakenberg, Goddard Middle School
5th Place: Joe Pritchard, Euclid Middle School
6th Place: Andrew Fedak, Powell Middle School
7th Place: Adam Cohrs, Newton Middle School
8th Place: Peter Dodge, Euclid Middle School

Kings of Chess Honorable Mention Medal
David Harring, Littleton Academy

Sportsmanship Medals
Grayson Hoffman, Goddard Middle School
Jacob Thomas, Newton Middle School
Finley France, Powell Middle School