The Willow Springs Chess Bears brought home an impressive collection of awards from the second annual Queen’s Gambit Dent-Phelps Chess Tournament held Saturday, Nov. 22, in Salem.
In the elementary division, the Willow Springs team earned second place overall. Michael Iacovlev led the group with an undefeated performance to secure first place in the individual standings. Oakley Hatch also contributed a strong finish, placing sixth with two wins and a draw.
The middle school Bears captured top honors, winning the junior high section of the tournament. Ayden Bennett finished second individually, followed by Heidi Bennett in fourth place and Kane Bennett in fifth. Additional wins came from Brennan Dye, while teammates Lachlann Burton and Genesis Higgs each recorded a win and a draw.
Willow’s high school team also secured a strong finish, placing second overall. Otto Schuette led the high school competitors with three wins and a draw, and Sabastian Puher added two wins to the team’s total.
The Bears will return to competition at their next tournament, scheduled for Dec. 20 in West Plains.