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Bear Creek's chess team wins first place at Washington State Elementary Chess Championship

The Bear Creek School
Courtesy Photo
The Bear Creek School's chess team received first place at the Washington State Elementary Chess Championship in the first- through third-grade category. From left, Eamon Thakur, Asher Thakur, coach Leo Stefurak, Brandon Marcus and Egan Tardif.

April 23, 2012 · 11:49 AM

On April 21, third-graders Asher Thakur and Brandon Marcus and second-graders Egan Tardif and Eamon Thakur of The Bear Creek School (TBCS) in Redmond won the first place team award at the Washington State Elementary Chess Championship in the first- through third-grade category.

"The Duel in the Desert" was held in Pasco and about 760 students competed.

"It was history in the making," said TBCS Coach Leo Stefurak about his students' first-place finish.

The foursome, who scored 17 points, bested larger, more experienced teams with winning pedigrees.

With only four members, the results were up in the air to the very last game (second place had 16.5 points).

Asher was undefeated after five rounds and also received the honor of being state chess champion for third graders. Brandon, Egan and Eamon each scored four points, playing some of their best games this year.

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