Chess Update

On Saturday, Noah competed in his second chess tournament. This tournament was a "qualifier," meaning that if he could score 2.5 points in 5 rounds of play, he would qualify for the Governor's Cup, aka the Chess State Championship. An pretty lofty task for a new chess player, especially when he scored only 2.5 points in 9 rounds in his first tourney.

But Noah, the ever positive child when it comes to chess was all excitement and all smiles, no matter the situation. Caleb and I met Eric at the tournament after the first two rounds with lunch. Noah had lost his first match and tied the second. He lost the third round, but again came strutting out of the match as if this was the best day of his life. Caleb and I headed home for the afternoon leaving Dad and Noah with only 1/2 of a point.

Much to my surprise, he entered the house a few hours later with the news that he had WON both of his final matches. To say that I was proud would be an understatement. What an amazing kid! He placed 67 out of 123 players.

He is so fun and so gracious to others while playing (as noted by Eric while he watched Noah practice against others in between rounds). I'm so happy he finally found something he has a knack for. Something besides video games that is. ;)

Maybe it was his new shirt that brought him such luck. A special thanks to Aunt Vicki for those! I'm fairly sure Noah would wear them everyday if he could. See the shirt he wore on Saturday below. So cute!

As for now, we will continue to practice for the state championship on April 24 and 25!!!