Talented Eighth Graders from Robbinsville Shine at National Chess Championship in Maryland

Pond Road Middle School Students Shine at National Chess Championship

Two talented eighth graders from Pond Road Middle School in Robbinsville, New Jersey, recently made their mark at the 2024 National K-12 Chess Championship in National Harbor, Maryland. Vihaan Saxena and Aaryan Mummidi secured an impressive ninth-place finish in the eighth-grade team division, despite being outnumbered by teams with up to 10 players.

Competing against some of the best young minds in the country, the duo demonstrated their strategic prowess and had the highest point average per team member in their division. Individually, Aaryan placed 12th and Vihaan 14th out of 184 competitors, showcasing their dedication and skill.

Aaryan, who has been passionate about chess since the age of five, is now one of the top five players in New Jersey for his age group and ranked among the top 75 in the nation by the U.S. Chess Federation. Vihaan, who started playing chess at six, is also ranked in the top five in New Jersey and among the top 50 nationwide.

Their achievements have not gone unnoticed in the Robbinsville school community, with Superintendent Dr. Patrick Pizzo emphasizing the value of extracurricular activities like chess in shaping young minds. Their success at the national level is a source of pride for their school and the broader Robbinsville community, inspiring other young students to explore the game of chess and the skills it fosters.