Area students compete in Fall Gold Country Scholastic Chess Tournament

Sixty-one students from 29 schools and homeschool programs throughout the region gathered at Magnolia Intermediate School on Oct. 3 for the Fall 2026 Gold Country Scholastic Chess Tournament, a five-round, US Chess Federation-rated competition organized by Magnolia Intermediate and Arete Charter Academy's chess coach, Donald Walsh. The tournament brought together young chess players from schools throughout Nevada County and neighboring communities, with students representing public schools, charter schools, private schools and homeschool programs. For many students, the tournament provided an opportunity to compete against players they would not normally meet at their own schools. Students competed in three sections based on grade level: Grade School for kindergarten through fifth grade, Intermediate for sixth through eighth grade and High School for ninth through 12th grade. In addition to individual awards, schools competed for team trophies, with the top three schools in each section recognized. Participating schools and programs included Magnolia Intermediate, Ghidotti Early College High School, Bear River High School, Forest Charter School, Arete Charter Academy, Seven Hills Middle School, Olympus Junior High, Newcastle Elementary, Alder Creek Elementary, iLearn Academy, Grass Valley Charter, Nevada City School of the Arts, Horizon Charter, Del Oro High School, Nevada Union High School, Rocklin Academy, COA Middle School, Nidahas Pasala, Visions in Education, Caughlin Ranch Elementary, Alta Sierra Elementary, Feather River Charter School, Lyman Gilmore Middle School, Colfax Elementary, Cottonwood Charter, Ridgeview Elementary, St. Albans Country Day School, Sierra Hills and Theodore Judah Elementary. The tournament was supported by a number of volunteers who helped with everything from directing games to keeping the event organized. Student volunteers Kayla Lukenbill and Judah Koopmans assisted during the tournament. Rick Rice, who runs the Nevada County Library chess club, also volunteered, along with Kylie Griffis, a teacher at Deer Creek, and Jennifer Walsh, a school psychologist with the Wheatland School District. Arthur Braden, a master chess player who runs the Auburn Chess Club, was the chief tournament director. Walsh, the tournament organizer, also assisted in directing the tournament. Jasper Levinson (student) and Kirsten Dees (parent) also volunteered. Many parents and students chipped in after the tournament by putting away chairs, chess sets and breaking down tables. Walsh said he hopes that by organizing local scholastic tournaments, students will have an opportunity to play challenging games, meet other young chess players and learn from both their victories and losses. With 61 students representing 29 schools and homeschool programs, Walsh hopes the Gold Country Scholastic Chess Tournament series will continue to grow into a regular opportunity for students throughout the region. Schools throughout the region are encouraged to share information about upcoming Gold Country Scholastic Chess tournaments with their students and families. Students do not need to attend a school chess club to participate, and schools can compete for team awards with as few as three players. School announcements can help families learn about opportunities that might otherwise be missed. The next Gold Country Scholastic Chess Tournament is planned for Dec. 12, 2026. More information about upcoming events, registration and local scholastic chess opportunities is available at www.goldcountrychess.org.