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March Madness is starting in this week and while 66 college basketball teams go head to head for the championship, Bellwood-Antis is holding its own battle for the title!

Mr. John Goodman, a Bellwood-Antis high school science teacher and Chess Club Advisor, is organizing a 2018 B-A Chess Tournament.

Chess is a great interacting way to get students around the school together, as Zach Miller, ninth grade Bellwood-Antis student, stated.

“In 2007 and 2012 we had a B-A Tournament.  It was a lot of fun, and the students enjoyed the competition, and the time seemed right to have another tournament,” said Mr. Goodman.

As twelfth grader Noah Aiken stated, “The chess tournament is a good opportunity for all who play chess to be organized and have fun and to have a bit of a challenge.”

Just like March Madness, the format of the tournament is a bracket system.  There are five rounds: the preliminary and first rounds are both single-elimination; the second round is best of three; the semifinal is best of five; and the final round is best of seven.

During the preliminary round, competitors are able to play in many different ways, including online games, and then report the winner to Mr. Goodman.

First-, second-, and third-place winners will receive a medal, a cash prize, and first place will have his or her name permanently placed on a wall plaque.

The early reports are that the winner could emerge from the strong entry of junior students, including, Zion Poe, Quintin Nelson, Mason Yingling, and Dan Kustaborder.

“I feel as if there are a lot of good players around, but I’m glad Zion isn’t in my bracket,” says Quintin Nelson.