The National Elementary Championship has wrapped up at the Gaylord Opryland and Convention Center in Nashville, TN.  Seventy-eight (78) players from Illinois participated in this K-6 championship event.

In the K-6 Blitz, Sreekar Gangavarapu, a 4th grader from Edison Regional Gifted Center in Chicago placed 2nd for ratings 1000-1099. In the K-3 Blitz, David Liu, a 1st grader from Northpoint Elementary in Bloomington, placed 2nd for ratings under 600.

Warren Junior Scholar Alex Zhao teamed up with Reagan Pearl from California and won first place in Bughouse.

In the K-6 Championship section, Warren Junior Scholar Arthur Xu, a 5th grader from Mann School, brought home the 14th place trophy, with 5 out of 7 points.  Rising Star Yuvraj Chennareddy, a 2nd grader, brought home one of 15th place trophies, also with 5 out of 7 points. Rising Star Rahul Bammidi, a 6th grader from Evans Junior High School, took home 1st for Ratings 1300 to 1399.  Sreekar Gangavarapu, a 4^th grader from Edison Regional Gifted Center, took home 2nd for ratings 1000-1099.  

In the K-6 U1400 section, Kaushal Dhumal, a 6^th grader from Thayer J Hill Middle School, brought home one of the 15^th place trophies, with 5 out of 7 points.  Skinner North Classical School won the 9^th place team trophy. 

In the K-6 U1000 section, Catherine Liu, a 4^th grader from Northpoint Elementary in Bloomington, tied for 2^nd place with an impressive 6 out of 7 wins, winning the 7^th place trophy after tie-breaks were considered.  In the K-5 Championship section, Warren Junior Scholar Dimitar Mardov, a 4^th grader from Anne Sullivan Elementary, tied for 2^nd with 6 out of 7 points, and brought home the 3^rd place trophy after tiebreaks.  Warren Junior Scholar Avi Kaplan, a 5^th grader from Decatur Classical, tied for 12^th and won the 16^th place trophy, with 5 points.  Anujin Namuunbayar, a 5^th grader from Decatur Classical, took 1^st place for ratings 900 to 999 and Oliver Baasandoo, a 5^th grader from Wescott School, took 2^nd place for ratings under 800.

In the K-5 U1200 section, Grady Leddy, a 4^th grader from Kingsley Elementary School, took 2^nd place with 6 points.  Josephine Swan, a 4^th grader from Decatur Classical, brought home the 10^th place trophy with 5.5 points.  Fourth grader Liam Minkov brought home a 20^th place trophy with 5 points.  Along with Josphine and Liam, teammates Enkhjin Namuunbayar and Siri Chennareddy from Decatur Classical won the 5^th place team trophy in this division.

In the K-5 U900, fourth grader Radu Bacur from Beaubien Elementary School won the 17^th place trophy with 5.5 points.

In the K-3 U700 section, first-grader Maurya Chandra from Glenn Elementary won 2^nd place with an impressive 6.5 points. Kindergartener Armaan Mittal from Avery Coonley School tied won 16^th place with 5.5 points.  First-grader David Liu from Northpoint Elementary won 21^st place, also with 5.5 points. Third-grader Robert Suteu from Decatur Classical won one of the 30^th place trophies with 5 points.  Avery Coonley School had 7 players in this section, and their top 4 players were able to clinch the 6^th place team trophy.

In the K-1 U500 and Unrated section, first-grader Alexander Skoczylas from Beaubien Elementary School won 3^rd place with 6 points. Pre-Kindergartener Scott Escalera from brought home one of the 20^th place trophies with 5 points.

 

Congratulations to all of the Illinois players for representing our state at this National event!