They came, they played, they conquered.

More than 200 students from second grade through high school decided to take their chess prowess outside of their schools to a broader arena for the 15^th annual District 205 Chess Tournament.

While the kids were serious about their games, York High School Commons on March 17 had a rather informal feel to it: There was plenty of talking going on, parent volunteers were stationed throughout, and if a child got stuck or had a question, all they had to do was raise their hand and ask.

On the other hand, it was all very professional: parents were corralled in the cafeteria while games were being played so as not to distract the children; games were timed, with each player having only 7 minutes per game; and judges painstakingly tallied the results of every round in a computer to keep track of all the standings. 

While there were fewer participants in middle school and high school (York just finished its chess season last month), participation rates in grades two through five were high. 

The competition was not limited to public school students; home schoolers and students from Visitation and Immaculate Conception also participated.

In addition to parent volunteers, math teachers and chess professionals were on hand to keep things running smoothly.

It was quite a scene of organized chaos—and all for a good cause. After all, chess teaches problem solving and critical thinking skills, as well as logic, reasoning and social skills. And who knows? One of these young warriors might even end up the next Garry Kasparov, or Bobby Fischer (with all the brilliance and none of the isolation and strangeness, of course).

Following are the results of the 2011 District 205 Chess Tournament:

Second grade (41 total players)

It was a three-way tie for first place, with 4.5 wins each. In the playoff round, each of the three players won one and lost one.

• first place: Patrick Cote, Conrad Fischer School
• first place: Joseph Bergman, Homeschool
• first place:  Austin Kosowski, Visitation School
• fourth place: Scott Garlow, Field School

Third grade (61 total players)

• first place: Ethan Oder, Lincoln School, won all five of his games
• second place: Xander Hall, Edison School
• third place: Mathieu Niemi, Edison
• fourth place: Ralphy Ortiz, Emerson

Fourth grade (44 total players)

Both first- and second-place winners won all five of their games; Manu won the playoff.

• first place: Manu Mehta, Lincoln
• second place: Julian Martinez, Lincoln
• third place: David Hansen, Edison
• fourth place: Brian Kunst, Hawthorne

Fifth grade (29 total players)

• first place: Anita Wary, Lincoln (won all five games)
• second place: Will Krueger, Field
• third place: Garrett Ross, Lincoln
• fourth place: Corey Elliott, Conrad Fischer

Middle School (25 total players)

• first place: Glen Lehrer, Bryan Middle School (won all five games)
• second place: Manuel Kappen, Churchville Middle School
• third place: Ian Elliott, Churchville
• fourth place: Aazam Mohsin, Churchville

High School (four total players)

• first place, Paul Rafac
• second place: Theo Khayat
• third place: Christos Kaidis           
• fourth place: Mark Varughese