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Dalton News
Dalton Chess Triumphs: A Decades-Long Legacy of Excellence
In a resounding display of skill and dedication, 74 Dalton Tigers, ranging from Kindergarten to 12th Grade, distinguished themselves at the 2023 National Scholastic Grade K-12 Chess Championships in Orlando. In a field of nearly 2,500 top scholastic chess players and over 1,000 teams from 51 states, Dalton not only participated but emerged as a dominant force across multiple grade levels.
The climax of this remarkable journey unfolded as the Class of 2024 secured their grade's national championship for an incredible 10th consecutive year, maintaining a remarkable streak since 3rd Grade, with a first-place title also in First Grade. The team, consisting of Gus Huston ‘24, Pippa Lee ‘24, Julia Miyasaka ‘24, Ryan Harada Peterson ‘24, Veda Safranek ‘24, and Nate Shuman ‘24, not only sustained their dominance but also shared the joy with younger teammates, fostering a memorable atmosphere of celebration and mentorship.
Adding to the team's brilliance, Gus Huston '24 attained the International Master title earlier this fall, further underscoring the team's excellence.
Coach Beatriz Marinello shared, “Personally leading and coaching the Dalton Chess Team at this prestigious event was a true delight. At Dalton, our chess program thrives on community values—emphasizing inclusion, open participation, excellence, team spirit, and collaboration. A heartfelt appreciation goes to the school administration for championing chess as both an educational and recreational activity for an impressive 36 years. We extend our gratitude to teachers, faculty, and families for recognizing the value of chess in the curriculum and embracing it as a family activity. A special acknowledgment goes to the children for their enduring love and dedication to chess. As we celebrate our successes, our commitment to continuous learning and improvement remains unwavering.”
Go Tigers! Go Forth Unafraid and Checkmate!
Overall Team Results:
Kindergarten: 3rd Place
1st Grade: 4th Place
2nd Grade: 4th Place
3rd Grade: 6th Place
4th Grade: 5th Place
5th Grade: 5th Place
6th Grade: 3rd Place
7th Grade: 7th Place
12th Grade: 1st Place
Coaching:
Head Coach WIM Beatriz Marinello and a stellar coaching lineup, including Grandmaster Alex Lenderman, FIDE Master Lenny Kadishev, National Master Jerald Times, Chess Expert Alexander Kure, Chess Expert Nelson Dunn, and Chess Expert Adia Onyago.
Article submitted by Kathy Wong and Beatriz Marinello
Grades K-3
53 East 91st Street, New York, NY 10128
Grades 4-12
108 East 89th Street, New York, NY 10128
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