Outside, the snow finally began falling on Friday, Dec. 12. But indoors, 15 Wood River Valley children squared off that day for the annual Christmas Blitz chess tournament at Wood River High School.
Blitz is a fast-paced, fast-thinking, "blunderous" game in which you must checkmate your opponent in five minutes. Even good players can make mistakes under time pressure that can allow chess newbies opportunities that might never arise in longer games.
However, experienced players ruled the Dec. 12 tournament at the Hailey high school.
In the elementary school section, Nathan Stouffer (5.5) and Garrett Stouffer (4.0) took first and second places, respectively. Dylan Porth (4.0) won third while Lidija (2.5) and Izabella (2.5) Jurovich took fourth and fifth places. Buey Grossman won honorable mention.
In middle school, Chase Hutchinson (3.5), Desmond Porth (3.0) and Reilly Neel (2.0) won first through third places.
High school winners were Danny Mills (4.5) in first place, Nick Bruck (4.5) in second place, Kitt Conner (4.0) in third place and Junior Hidalgo (3.0) won fourth place.
All students who placed won a prize and a medal. Prizes included chess clocks, Lego chess software, and Christmas-colored chess sets.
The Blaine County School District Chess Club also did well at the first Community School Tournament on Sunday. Danny Mills (4.0), Desmond Porth (4.5) and Dylan Porth (4.0) earned first places.
Last Friday, the Kitt Conner and Danny Mills team (11.0) narrowly won Santa's Bughouse chess tournament. The Andrew Uriarte and Chris "Curly" Ellis (10.0) team were close behind in second place.
Bughouse is a team game in which players on one team play opposite colors and opponents, and exchange pieces in five-minute matches.
Both the Santa's Bughouse and Christmas Blitzkrieg tournaments were for school titles, and the winners were awarded a place on the WRHS Chess Champions plaque.
There is an active chess community in the Wood River valley with numerous upcoming tournaments and activities that will hopefully fund a WRHS debut at a national tournament. Other tournaments at WRHS are set for Feb. 7 and March 7 of next year.
Chess Club meets every Wednesday, after school, in Room C214 of Wood River High School. It is open to all ages.
For more information contact Adam Porth, WRHS teacher at 578-5020, ext. 2239.