SBHS chess team heads to nationals

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

The state champion San Benito High School chess team has a date with destiny Thursday, when they’ll be departing from Valley International Airport in Harlingen to Minneapolis, MN, the site of the 2012 National High School Championships.

According to a San Benito CISD press release, the team will leave on Thursday, April 12 and return Monday, April 16 after competing at a national level.

In February, at the Texas Scholastic Chess Championship in Dallas, the high school chess team eliminated five-time winner Bellaire High School just weeks after winning the Region 8 tournament at Veterans Memorial Academy in San Benito, and in doing so became the school’s first state chess champs.

Securing the state championship solidified San Benito CISD’s efforts, led by the Afterschool Program, in building a successful chess program. It’s an accomplishment that has – in many respects – culminated years of practice that began as early as kindergarten in some cases.

Chess coaches Jose Urrutia, Jesse Sauceda, Erick Villarreal, Manny Gonzalez, Noe Garza and Edward Guetzow have all been credited for the involvement and influence on the players.

On what awaits them at the national championships in Minneapolis, San Benito CISD Afterschool Program Director Jack Garcia said the level of competition is formidable.

“One team out of New York has all four of their players rated in the 2400s, so it’ll definitely be a challenge,” Garcia said, adding he has confidence in the high school team’s ability to crack the top 10 at the tournament, something he doesn’t recall any Valley team accomplishing before.

Also, Garcia said he feels that with players like 11th grader Kristin Ramos on the San Benito High School team, his confidence is not misplaced.

“Someone like Kristin Ramos is not just the best player in the Valley, but among the best in the state,” he said. “She’s ranked 10th in the state.”

Others on the high school chess team include Simon Vasquez, III, an 11th grader who placed fourth and tied for third at the state championships; 10th grader Brandon Flores is ranked 15th in the state, 12th grader Karlos Ramos is ranked 13th, 10th grader Jason Sauceda is ranked 22nd, 10th grader Jose Urrutia, Jr. is ranked 23rd, 11th grader Michael Izaguirre is ranked fifth, 10th grader Erick Guevara is ranked 39th, 11th grader Joel Barrera is ranked 69th and 12th grader Martin Puga is not ranked.

Chess Bio for Chess Team Students attending Nationals

Simon Vasquez III

USCF Rating: 1954, Grade level: 11^th

2012 Texas State HS Championship Ranking:  4^th place, Tied-3^rd

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

About 10 years.

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

I like the challenging situations and the desire of winning and learning something. I learned to play chess at Fred Booth Elementary at the After School Program or PHD at the time.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?

I want to study to become an architect or engineer in computer aided drafting and be in the chess team at the university I attend.

Kristin Ramos

USCF Rating: 1717, Grade level: 11^th

2012 Texas State HS Championship Ranking: 10^th place, T-6^th

Only female chess player in the Top 20 at State Chess Tournament

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

I have been playing chess since I was in first grade (2001)

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

I love to play chess because it is a stress reliever. Anyone can play chess. It is an enjoyable hobby in which you can get to travel around the nation for competition and meet new people. My older brother taught me how to play chess when we were kids. He was a fourth grader at the time.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?

I plan on going to either Georgetown University or Northwestern and go to medical school to pursue a career as a forensic pathologist.

Brandon Flores

USCF Rating: 1700, Grade level: 10^th

2012 as State HS Championship Ranking: 15^th place

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

I’ve been playing chess since 5th grade for about five and a half years.

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

 I like chess because it teaches great sportsmanship and you meet friends/rivals along the way. It also teaches you to respect another player. I learned how to play in elementary with the help of my teammates. It took me a couple of years to learn, but I eventually got it.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?

I’m hoping to earn a scholarship for chess if not, I plan to still play chess on my free time with a college team and study for engineering in either UTD, UT, or Texas Tech.

Karlos Ramos

USCF Rating:  1625, Grade level: 12^th

2012 as State HS Championship Ranking: 13^th place, T-6^th

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

I’ve been playing since 4th grade, for about 6 years.

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

It challenges my mind and it’s an interesting game to play.  I learned from Mr. Urrutia, chess coach, and Dr. Garza.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?

I plan to study astrophysics at UT Austin.

Jason Sauceda

USCF Rating: 1476, Grade level: 10^th

2012 State HS Championship Ranking: 22^nd place, T-15^th

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

Since 2^nd grade, 8 years.

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

I like playing chess because it a great way to stimulate the brain, and I learned to play chess from my dad.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?

I would like to study Cullinary Arts to eventually become a chef and also a degree in business. I would like to attend Texas A&M Kingsville when I’m done with high school.

Jose Urrutia Jr.

USCF Rating: 1388, Grade level: 10^th

2012 State HS Championship Ranking: 23^rd place, T-15^th

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

I have been playing chess for 9 years, and I started playing since 2^nd grade.

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

My dad was the chess coach at Dr. Garza Elementary, and that is where I started to get interested in chess. I asked my dad to teach me how to play.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?

My plans are to attend college to study for computer technician, and to continue to play chess at the collegiate level.

Michael Izaguirre

USCF Rating: 1308, Grade level: 11^th

2012 State HS Championship Ranking: 5^4th place, T-49^th

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

I have been playing chess since I was in third grade, around eight years old.

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

What I like most about chess it that it is not like what most people think. There is a misconception that you must be extremely smart to play chess; however, chess is not a game of just knowledge but rather understanding, planning, and strategizing. I first started when I was in Rangerville Elementary during the After School Program and even though there was no chess program in Rangerville at the time, I learned the basic movements of the pieces from a teacher.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?

I want to study to become an architect or engineer in computer aided drafting and be in the chess team at the university I attend.

Erick Guevara

USCF Rating: 1444, Grade level: 10^th

2012 State HS Championship Ranking: 39^th place

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

Since 2^nd grade, 8 years.

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

I like playing chess because I find it relaxing and a good hobby.  My oldest brother taught me how to play chess.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?

I would like to obtain a degree in business at UTSA.

Joel Barrera

USCF Rating: 1331, Grade level: 11^th

2012 State HS Championship Ranking: 65^th place, T-64^th

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

Since 1st grade.

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

I like playing chess because it is a fun sport that I like, and I kind of get into it because it reminds me of a battlefield. J.J. and Miguel Guajardo taught me how to play chess at La Encantada Elementary.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?

I would like to become a published author and study English at New York University or UT Austin.

Martin Puga

USCF Rating: 1221, Grade level: 12^th

2012 State HS Championship Ranking: N/A

1. 1.       How long have you been playing chess?

About 10 years.

1. 2.       Why do you like chess, and how did you learn to play it?

I like the challenging situations and the desire of winning and learning something. I learned to play chess at Fred Booth Elementary at the After School Program or PHD at the time.

1. 3.       What do you want to study after HS in college?