New York Dominates at 2024 National Elementary School Chess Championships in Columbus, Ohio
The nation’s top elementary school chess players gathered in Columbus, Ohio, for the 2024 National Elementary School Championship, with 1,586 players from 42 states competing for the coveted titles. New York players and schools shone brightly at the event, clinching 5 championships in various categories.
The championship, which took place from April 26-28 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, featured players from across the country vying for top honors in four championship sections: K-1, K-3, K-5, and K-6. New York, with the highest representation of players at 43% of the field, dominated the competition by securing individual and team victories.
Artemii Khanbutaev from Pleasant Hill Elementary School in Palatine, IL, emerged as the K-6 champion, while Speyer Legacy School of New York, NY, claimed the K-6 Team Championship. In the K-5 category, Ted Wang from St. Thomas School in Medina, WA, took home the individual title, with P.S. 77 – Lower Lab School of New York, NY, winning the team championship.
Sasha Milo Schaefer from Anderson School in New York, NY, clinched the K-3 Championship, while Oak Hall of Gainesville, FL, secured the K-3 Team Championship. The K-1 Championship saw three co-champions from different states, with Trinity School of New York, NY, emerging victorious in the team category.
Apart from the championship sections, numerous winners in other categories were also recognized at the event. US Chess Executive Director Ranae Bartlett highlighted the participation of programs like Dishman Elementary from Harlingen, Texas, and P.S. 031 Samuel F. Dupont from Brooklyn, New York, as part of the Title I School Grant initiative, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to bringing chess to underserved communities.
The event concluded with an invitation to the next edition of SuperNationals VIII, scheduled for May 9-11, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. SuperNationals combines the National Elementary, Middle School, and High School Championships, offering a platform for young chess enthusiasts to showcase their skills on a national stage.