By Sara Ballenger

Members of the newly formed chess team at Egan Junior High School in Los Altos can hold their heads high, having won first place in their division at the 27th Annual California Chess State Scholastics Championships, April 6 and 7, in Monterey.

The team competed with 1,100 players from around the state. Five Egan team members also won individual trophies.

The Egan chess club began last September under the guidance of science teacher Curtis Schneider.

“I have been teaching for 20 years, and wherever I have taught I have always had a chess team,” Schneider said. “So it was just natural to start one at Egan.”

Students have taken to the game. The club meets informally during lunch and practiced after school to prepare for the competition.

“In terms of a lunch-time activity, it gives them a safe place to be at lunch, a chance to hang out with friends and play chess,” Schneider said. “It’s competitive, but winning isn’t the focus. It’s more about camaraderie, having fun and gaining an appreciation for the game.”

Student Zack Ciesinski has learned about teamwork and determination. “I have learned that you should never give up in a chess game,” he said. “Also, you should always encourage your teammates no matter how they did. I felt overwhelmed after our team won the championship. One of our players was raising the trophy high in his hands. I couldn’t do anything but smile.”

Schneider hopes the win will not only inspire the current team members, but encourage others to join the team as well.

“The team would do really well at a national tournament,” Schneider said. “Next year we really do need to contemplate the idea they could do well enough; that could be something they can aspire to.”

Schneider added that he hopes to have some fun competitions in the future, such as a student versus staff tournament, and Egan against Los Altos High School. For more information, call Egan at 941-6174.