Young grandmasters square off in Moreno Valley at annual chess contest – San Bernardino Sun
Yesenia Villareal of Moreno Valley, center, was one of the animated parents cheering on her son from the sidelines. More than 40 students, from kindergarten through 12th grade, compete in the Vista Del Lago High Chess Tournament at VDLH in Moreno Valley on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Untimed youngsters’ movements were hesitant and hovering, at times, while the older timed competitors moved swiftly. Students play at the Riverside Youth Chess Association’s annual Vista del Lago Chess Tournament at VDLH in Moreno Valley on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
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Nicole Miranda, 6, of Moreno Valley, takes a couple minutes before moving her queen. The Serrano Elementary first grader lost this game during the Vista Del Lago High (VDLH) Chess Tournament. More than 40 youngsters participate in the Moreno Valley event at VDLH on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Nicole Miranda, 6, of Moreno Valley, flashes a toothless grin when she thinks her queen can take her to victory, but that is not the case at the Vista Del Lago High (VDLH) Chess Tournament. More than 40 youngsters participate in the Moreno Valley competition at VDLH on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Nadia Sanchez, 7, of Moreno Valley runs to mom Crystal after losing to her older brother at the Vista Del Lago High Chess Tournament held at VDLH in Moreno Valley on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
“Mom, I won,” David Sanchez, 8, of Moreno Valley runs to tell mom Crystal, right, after beating his younger sister. He runs back to the chess board equally fast at the Vista Del Lago High Chess Tournament held at VDLH in Moreno Valley on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Nicolas Hoddle, 6, of Castle View Elementary, left, is a good winner. He tries to help Nicole Miranda, 6, of Serrano Elementary before his victory. His favorite checkmate move is taking the king with his queen, which he did. The Vista Del Lago High Chess Tournament is at the Moreno Valley high school on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Jaime Tellez, 10, of Riverside, left, and David Ortega, 10, of Moreno Valley hide from parents during a lunch break at Vista Del Lago High Chess Tournament held at the Moreno Valley school on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
David Sanchez’s frown was upside down a couple minutes earlier when he defeated his younger sister. However, the eight-year-old Moreno Valley resident found himself on his way to defeat at the Vista Del Lago High Chess Tournament held at VDLH in Moreno Valley on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Nadia Sanchez, 7, of Moreno Valley and mom Crystal lock eyes after the youngster asked mom for a hug. She lost to her older brother at the Vista Del Lago High Chess Tournament held at VDLH in Moreno Valley on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cheerleader Abby Varona, 10, of Riverside, is not very cheery against her brother at the Vista Del Lago High Chess Tournament in Moreno Valley on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Knights fought the clergy, castles fell and everyone was coming for the king Saturday morning, Oct. 12, in Moreno Valley.
Students from kindergarten through 12th grade faced off across chess boards at the Riverside Youth Chess Association’s annual Vista del Lago Chess Tournament at Vista del Lago High.
Even the youngest students played by touch move rules, meaning that touching a chess piece requires the player to move it. First-, second- and third-place trophies were awarded in multiple divisions.
For Riverside Youth Chess Association information, call 951-807-0938 or visit rycachess.weebly.com.
