School’s Third Annual Chess Tournament on the Quad: Jacob Massey ’25 Emerges as Champion

The school’s third annual chess tournament, hosted by the Prefect Council, took place on the Quad from Feb. 24-28, drawing in 26 student competitors eager to showcase their strategic skills on the board.

After a week of intense competition, Jacob Massey ’25 emerged victorious, defeating his opponent Ernest Yakushkin ’25 in the final game. Massey, who has been playing chess since he was five years old, expressed his surprise at winning the tournament, stating that he didn’t expect to come out on top but enjoyed the competitive experience.

Yakushkin, reflecting on his performance, shared valuable insights for aspiring chess players, emphasizing the importance of taking time to calculate each move carefully and methodically. He encouraged players to challenge themselves by seeking out more experienced opponents and taking calculated risks to improve their game.

Senior Prefect Victor Suh ’25 highlighted the Prefect Council’s role in organizing the tournament, showcasing their expertise in event planning and execution. Despite a perceived decline in chess’ popularity on campus in recent years, Suh noted the strong interest and passion displayed by the large number of tournament participants, indicating a continued enthusiasm for the game among students.

With the success of this year’s tournament, Suh expressed plans to host more events in the future, catering to the diverse interests of the student body. The Prefect Council’s dedication to creating engaging and inclusive campus activities ensures that students have opportunities to showcase their talents and connect with their peers through friendly competition.