Cimarron prepares for state chess tournament

Cimarron prepares for state chess tournament
By Jeff Pope
Thu, Mar 5, 2009 (2:25 p.m.)
Las Vegas Sun – Las Vegas, NV, USA

Chess is a game of superior strategy and skill, and in Southern Nevada there’s no team more skilled than Cimarron-Memorial High School.

The Spartans varsity team captured the Clark County School District Chess League title after winning all but three of its 60 matches throughout the season. It topped Valley High School 5-0 to claim the trophy.

Southeast Career Technical Academy finished third, beating Bonanza High School 3.5 to 1.5.

The team hopes to carry its momentum into the state tournament on Saturday, when it will face many of the same teams it has already beaten.

Team captain Nathan Rajnovich is the only senior on the five-man roster for the state championships. After finishing third in the district last year, Rajnovich said his team was thrilled to win it all this year.

“I gave everyone a hug,” he said.

Social studies teacher Pat Holland manages the team but leaves the coaching to substitute teacher and 2008 Nevada state champ Glenn Bidari. Holland plays chess with her husband but not against her team.

“These guys would walk all over me,” she said.

Junior Oscar Becerra has one personal goal for the state tournament. If he faces Cheyenne High School senior Michael Thomas, he wants to beat him. Becerra is 0-for-4 against Thomas, who won top honors for his division in the 2008 North American Open Chess Championship.

Here is the full article.