Bugbee chess team places second overall at UConn tournament

The Bugbee Elementary School Yellow Jackets chess team competed in the annual University of Connecticut Fall Scholastic K-8 Tournament, placing second overall.  

The four player team of Sean Dyson, fourth grade, Samuel Lumelsky, second grade, Ethan Striff-Cave, second grade, and Theodore Braiewa, first grade, represented West Hartford, playing against some of the strongest players in their age group.

"The competition here is fierce, with many excellent young players," said Alexander Lumelsky, the team's coach.

In addition to the team award, individual awards included, Sean Dyson, who won Second Place with a 2-1-1 record in the K-5 under 700 section, and Sam Lumelsky, who won Third Place in the K-5 open section with a 2-2-0 record. Other team members contributed three points for the team award, including a strong performance by Ethan Striff-Cave, who finished 2-2-0.  

Theodore Braiewa won his first competition match and earned the honor of presenting the team trophy, on behalf of the Jackets, to Bugbee Principal Noam Sturm.

Since May, the Yellow Jackets have received three team honors and three individual awards.  

On Nov.10, the chess team will participate in highly competitive matches at the New Haven Fall Open at Hopkins School.

Submitted photo: Bugbee Yellow Jackets chess team presents its Second Place trophy to Principal Noam Sturm. (from left) Ethan Striff-Cave, Teddy Braiewa, Samuel Lumelsky, and Sean Dyson.