On November 2nd, the Benet Chess Team participated in its second meet of the year at Glenbard East High School. Fifteen players from all grade levels competed against players from various Chicago-area schools, including some who have earned the distinction of Chess Master, meaning they can defeat amateur players consistently. The ranked board team for Benet, which places players with similar win-loss records against each other, went 2-2 against four difficult opponents. However, all but one of the seven open-level competitors won at least two of their four games. The team emerged from the meet encouraged by the performance, but knowing that they could do better in the future by avoiding crucial mistakes. 

Sophomore EJ Maldonado inspired his teammates by reminding them that, “For beginners to go to masters, mistakes are needed.” While chess may be seen as a boring activity by some, a rather exciting moment occurred when the fire alarm went off in the middle of the second game. It turned out to be a false alarm, but many players found it difficult to concentrate after this incident. This interruption, however, did not deter sophomore Jonathan Skopek from winning his first tournament chess game in a whopping eighty-eight moves. After the match, he said, “I’m feeling good right now, but I don’t want to get cocky because there are two more games to play.” 

While chess is an individual sport, players spent time together at Benet’s designated rendezvous point throughout the day, watched each other’s game, and provided motivation when a player made a mistake. All of the players agreed that the chess meet was a great opportunity, and that they were looking forward to a wonderful season of the Benet Chess Team.