After returning from our New Mexico trip we had 5 days at home before heading out again. This time, just with the 8 year old. We headed to Seattle on the Friday evening of April 11th to get ready for the biggest chess tournament we've ever been to.
It's always nice to spend one on one time with each of our boys.
Dinner at the Fisherman's Terminal in Ballard.
All the baggage he could carry. All by himself.
Seattle on a Friday night.
A queen bed all to himself.
We got an early start the next morning but it was crazy getting to Pier 91. Think 800 cars, all trying to get to the same building near the Magnolia bridge at 8:00am. Crazy! Hundreds of people ended up being late and they started the tournament 40 minutes late.
This huge warehouse type room is a buzz before the first round starts.
Upstairs, family and competitors hang out during rounds.
This championship was for K-6th graders. The second graders had 148 competitors in their group. The top 25, in each grade, at the end of the day would be awarded a trophy on stage. Our guy amazed us and came in 18th.
Trophies are neat but at the end of the day or week or month, it's the memory of how he played the game that sticks with our chess player. He has a goal of reaching a chess rating of 1000 by the time he's 10 years old. Every chess player starts at 400 when they begin competing. During this last year the Scientist has made a couple big jumps in his rating. After the championships, he ends this school year with a rating of 966.
A great day full of great memories!
I could have placed 149th. Good Job Scientist !
ReplyDeleteMe too. Thank you for being part of his encouragement crew.
DeleteHe certainly has an amazing skill and we thrilled to get updates of progress after each game allowing us to cheer him on. Good job everyone.
ReplyDeleteTournaments are so exciting. Thank you for being part of his cheering team also.
ReplyDelete