Ryan repeats as MLMS chess tournament champion

The Medical Lake Middle School held its third annual chess tournament, April 23, with Josh Wagner winning the eighth-grade and under division and Jeremy Ryan winning the ninth-grade and older round-robin tournament.

Ryan defeated Wagner in the final match to become the undisputed champion; winning a chess set with handcrafted pieces. He was the champion in the first MLMS tournament and the co-champion along with Jonathan Stebbins in the second tournament.

Ryan's father, Paul Ryan, adviser to the middle school's chess club, began the tournament three years ago. He invites his students, along with anyone in the community to compete in the event.

Wagner was one of the students in Paul Ryan's chess club this year and was the only member to stalemate him during a game.

Before his match with Jeremy Ryan, Wagner defeated Zack Dennis, a student in the Tuesday chess club started by Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Travis Pendell, Medical Lake School District's school resource officer. During their match, Wagner's pawn captured one of Dennis' pieces to reach the end of the board. He exchanged his pawn for his queen, which was captured earlier in the game, and checkmated Dennis' king.

Wagner said his interest in chess started about four years ago when he began playing with his grandfather.

"I like it, it's interesting to me," Wagner said. "It's a challenge to the mind."

Jeremy Ryan's father taught him to play chess at an early age. He said he enjoys the strategy that goes into the game.

"It's a game where you need to be focused, pay attention to details and catch your opponent's mistakes to beat them," Jeremy Ryan said.

Both Jeremy Ryan and Paul Ryan commended Wagner's focus and play during the final match.

"When you're playing with your friends, you tend to goof off a little, but when you play against someone whose abilities worry you, you're more focused and that helps," Paul Ryan said to Wagner.

"There were a couple of plays he made that surprised me," Jeremy Ryan added. "He took my rook and bishop and for a moment I didn't know what to do."

Paul Ryan said he plans on having another chess tournament on May 20 from 4-8 p.m.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].