Stevenson chess team finishes fifth in state

Stevenson High School’s chess team posted its second straight top five finish in the state, placing fifth on Saturday at the IHSA chess championships.

Led by junior Kent Cen of Lincolnshire, who ultimately took third individually, the team won six out seven rounds to take fifth place. Stevenson finished second last year.

“We won as many rounds as last year, but we didn’t do as well in the tiebreakers,” Cen said. “But it’s still exciting. It’s just a really good environment to play in. It’s huge.”

In fact, this year’s tournament was the biggest in its 37-year history, drawing teams from 132 high schools across the state. With eight players on each team, it meant 1,400 chess players and 200 coaches converged on Peoria’s civic center over the weekend.

Whitney Young College Prep in Chicago won the championship. Last year’s state champ, Niles North High School, placed second. Hinsdale Central High School took third.

The Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora finished ninth.

Stevenson’s team won the North Suburban Chess League championship last month, and with its runner-up finish last year, its students played most of their rounds “in the ropes” where spectators can watch the top 16 teams make their moves.

Beyond Cen, juniors Josh Dubin and Cheryl Lin and sophomores Matt Yang and Adele Padgett also received medals.

“The Stevenson chess team should continue to have success — there was only one senior playing on this year’s team so almost all of the players from this year will be back next year,” coach Scott Oliver said in an e-mail.

Stevenson’s chess club meets twice a week after school for practices and often draws internationally ranked master player Marc Lonoff to attend and advise on strategy.

“He shows us good openings,” Cen says, “and he’s especially good with our lower boards, teaching them strategy.”

Cen started playing chess at the age of 4 with his father. He entered tournament play at 8, and as a young teenager he played in United Chess Federation adult tournaments. But since joining Stevenson’s club and playing on its top boards, he has concentrated on strengthening and leading the school team.

Scott Johnson, IHSA assistant executive director, said the state tournament was one of the largest of its kind in the country.

“People think of chess as an individual pursuit,” Johnson said. “Turning it into a team competition encourages players to help make their teammates better players, and it fosters a sense of camaraderie.”