In a bold stroke, Beaufort Academy chess coach Darrin Rogers entered the Beaufort Academy elementary school chess team into the High School SCISA Chess Tournament on Wednesday, November 13 in Sumter, S.C. The BA chess players range from second to fifth grade and were the only participants at the tournament who were not in high school.

<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/darrin2.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-13931" alt="darrin2" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/darrin2-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></a>The team performed incredibly well, placing seventh out of 15 teams. The tournament had 89 players in attendance; each had to qualify to participate. Beaufort Academy fifth-grader Kevin Rogers placed fourth; Second-grader Whit Suber placed 19th; Third-grader Jack McDougall placed 23rd; Fourth-grader Thomas Mazzeo placed 63; and third-grader Kendra Rogers placed 69th out of 89 players.

Coach Rogers and the Beaufort Academy team have consistently been one of the most formidable chess teams in the state at the elementary level.  Now, with this tournament’s strong finish, BA looks to be one of the state’s top chess teams at any level.