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In March 2025, our Saturday Chess Club at the Russian Orthodox Parochial School of Holy Transfiguration Church hosted a tournament for the middle group. The competition was intense, with leadership shifting from one player to another—each day, someone new took the lead, but their rivals refused to back down.
After a hard-fought battle, the winners emerged: Alexandra Ramensky, Artem Gadilov, Nina Karponosov, and Serafima Kurbatova. Congratulations to them on their well-deserved victories!
The tournament wasn’t without its tears—losing or settling for a draw after leading a game can be tough. Yet, it’s precisely these moments that teach us how to manage emotions, recognize our growth, shift our focus from winning to improving, and find joy in the game itself.
A famous example from the world of chess comes to mind: during a world championship match, when Grandmaster Boris Spassky lost a game to Robert Fischer, he stood up, clapped his hands, and said, “This game is simply a masterpiece.” He celebrated the beauty that emerged from the play.
May this spirit of respect for chess, for opponents, and for the game itself inspire us all! We wish the participants continued success, new discoveries, and brilliant games ahead!