Altoona Kids Klub hosts K-6 chess tournament

  The Altoona Kids Klub after school program hosted a 3 round unrated K-6 tournament at Clay Elementary School in Altoona on May 14th. All students in grades K-6 from the Southeast Polk School district were invited and there were 51 players in 3 sections.

  Tournament host Tori Hanson and the Kids Klub made sure all the participants were winners by obtaining over $1500 in donations from local businesses to distribute as door prizes. The tournament was directed by Hank Anzis, John Hanson, and the Iowa Chess Center's AJ Pheasant, who donated an afternoon of their time to help and instruct the many first time tournament players.

The top scoring players in each section were Andrew Owens, Gage Buechler, Brandon Bayans, Elijah Hanson, Dietrick Wagner (K-2); Chandler Clayton, Jillian Miller, Dalten Lehman (3-4); Christian Zvokel, Jacob Wallace, Kara Ann Korthals, Ty Amsden, Ben Knetter, and Abe Bishof (5-6). Pictures can be found on the Iowa Group's chess.com page. All the kids had a great time and are looking forward to their next chess tournament. Thanks to the Altoona Kids Klub for hosting the event!