Chess team places third in Bay Area League

As the tough Bay Area Chess League neared its end, the chess team finished with a 5-3 record.

Although league standings will not be finalized until later in the month, Saratoga is in contention for third place.

“We did very well, but Monta Vista was definitely a hard school to beat,” team president Evan Ye said.

In the final league match on Nov. 30, Saratoga played against Monta Vista, a long standing rival. Ye was proud of the team’s efforts despite challenges. He anticipated great obstacles against Monta Vista but thought that everyone did well against opponents with high ratings.

“Every single player I recognized from previous tournaments was rated over 1300. [Senior Brian Wai] played against a 2000+.”

The match ended in one draw by Ye and two wins by seniors Sabrina Cismas and Sankash Shankar for a 4.5-2.5 loss. Cismas secured the first point and Ye said Shankar helped the team by “elegantly sacrificing a few pawns but ultimately with a fiery roar... against [opponent Chris Wu’s] destitute king” to bring Saratoga’s league participation to a satisfying finish.

The team will advance to the county tournament, typically scheduled in the last week of January or first week of February.