students playing chess

The 15th annual Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Chess Tournament drew a crowd of talented chess players from all age ranges on Feb. 12 as 26 students earned medals for their chess prowess.

After pausing in 2020 due to pandemic-related concerns, Steve Waldmann, tournament director and Bear Creek Elementary School Chess Club coach, announced a number of winners after four rounds of competition. Each finalist earned a medal for their accomplishment.

Organizers thanked volunteers from both Palmer Ridge and Lewis-Palmer High School Key Clubs, who helped with setup, teardown and with serving concessions at the event.

You can find students who placed among all grade-levels below:

Kindergarten

  • 1st place – Luke Knauf – BCES

First Grade

  • 1st place – Max Caputo – Homeschool
  • 2nd place – Cecilia Tebault – BCES
  • 3rd place – Moira Scott – LPES

Second Grade

  • 1st place – Joseph Voss – Homeschool
  • 2nd place – Charles Bucheit – BCES
  • 3rd place – Kenton Klein – PLES

Third Grade

  • 1st place – Jacob Leu – BCES
  • 2nd place – Elisabeth Stein – BCES
  • 3rd place – Jonas Caputo – Homeschool

Fourth Grade 

  • 1st place – Ben Knauf – BCES
  • 2nd place – Kadie Dawson – PLES
  • 3rd place – Anthony Ritz – PLES

Fifth Grade

  • 1st place – Jack Bucheit – BCES
  • 2nd place – Ethan Johnson – BCES
  • 3rd place – KES

Sixth Grade

  • 1st place – Tyler Leu – BCES
  • 2nd place – Elijah Taft – Homeschool
  • 3rd place – Caleb Hamilton – LPES

Middle School

  • 1st place – Max Harcrow – LPMS
  • 2nd place – Xandr Warren – LPMS
  • 3rd place – Matthew Zielinski – Monument Academy

High School

  • 1st place – Blake Nelson – LPHS
  • 2nd place – Christian Young – LPHS
  • 3rd place – Tristan Clark – LPHS