Cinco Ranch Public Library Chess Tournament – a Katy Celebration! Report with photos

The Cinco Ranch Public Library was a successful event under the organization of the Library Staff and volunteers. There was much enthusiasm among participants and it was almost infectious as many participants signed up on site while visiting the Library! Divided into age group sections – for Youth, Middle Grade, Teens and Adults – there was no shortage of talent and anticipation. Trophies were to be won and every participant displayed a true spirit of sportsmanship in celebrating the game. 

A branch of the Fort Bend County Libraries, the Cinco Ranch Public Library is ideally located at the intersection of Hwy 99 and Cinco Ranch Blvd., right in the heart of Katy at the La Centerra Town Center. The Library provided snacks and water for the participants to keep their energy levels going through four rounds of Chess with a Time Control of 25 minutes for the game plus a 5 seconds Delay. Being a very popular USCF Tournament Format in terms of managing time schedules while giving participants reasonable thinking time this time control suited the circumstances of the event just fine.

 

The first event started at 10:15 am and included the Youth and Middle Grade Sections and the Youth Section brought the largest number of participants in a section at the event. The enthusiasm among the kids was totally infectious and riveting. Due to time limitations this section and the Middle Grade Section were limited to three rounds, and at the end of the third round we had a three way tie for the 1st place in the Youth Section. The Middle Grade Section produced a two way tie for 1st and 2nd place and another two way tie for the third and fourth place.

 

At the end of the nerve wracking Tie Breaks we had the winners as follows –

YOUTH:

1st place – Aarav Sinha (3/3)

1st Runner-up – Mohini Goswami (3/3)

2nd Runner-up – Sathvik Kodali (3/3)

 

MIDDLE GRADE:
1st place – Suhani Goswami (3/3)

1st Runner-up – Param Bajaj (3/3)

2nd Runner-up – Jason Tang (2/3)

 

 

 

The second event started at 1 pm that included the TEEN and ADULT sections. The TEENs were able to play Four rounds per in the allotted time for the event and the more mature ADULT section could play three rounds in the time allotted for the event by the Library. Enthusiasm surely built over the previous event and it drew enthusiastic observers to participate in the remaining events they qualified for.

Both sections included tie breaks and the winners after the events were:

TEEN:

1st place – Mariano Romero (4/4)

1st Runner-up – Sameer Goswami (3/4)

2nd Runner-up – Tiffany To (3/4)

 

ADULT:

1st place – Arnold Serfica (3/3)

1st Runner-up – Justin Ceterski (3/3)

2nd Runner-up – Brian Richardson (2.5/3)

 

 

The Library received positive feedback about the event and the success of this event is in providing the participants a solid and enjoyable experience sets an example about the central role a County Public Library plays in a Community. And the Community’s active support to the Library and participation in its initiatives goes to show how vibrant a community can be.