Date:	   Sun, 23 Apr 2006 
Subject: Fpawn news flash! Earthquake strikes Milwaukee, felt as far as New York


Hello students, parents and chess friends!

Veni!  Vidi!  Vici!  The Saratoga High School chess team took the 2006 National High School
Championship last week by storm.  In three days, the team shook up the competition and pulled off
the seemingly impossible.  Simply said, my students terrorized the top boards in Wisconsin!  I
could not have predicted this even in my wildest dreams.  Here is just a brief summary of the
excitement.

In round 2, Jeff Young (rated 1881) defeated the #2 seeded FM Salvijus Bercys (rated 2451) of
Murrow H.S. from New York.  Jeff won a brilliant game with the black pieces, using the Dutch
defense.

David Chock (rated 2009) cruised through the first four rounds, defeating three lower rated
opponents and then winning against a 1927.  In round 5, he came to life by outplaying #3 seeded NM
Atakan Sirin (rated 2298) with the black pieces, also with the Dutch defense.

Then in round 6, David stunned the tournament by scalping top seeded International Master Alex
Lenderman (rated 2452) of Murrow H.S. in an impressive Scotch game opening as white.  IM Lenderman
not only is one of the top juniors in the USA but also won the U16 division of the 2005 World
Youth Chess Championship!  After six rounds, David was the only perfect 6-0.

Unfortunately, David could not hold a draw in the final round on board #1 against NM Landon
Brownell (rated 2237) of Catalina Foothills H.S. in Arizona.  Consequently, David ended up tied
for third place as Landon took first.

TROPHIES:
David Chock = 4th place K-12, 17th place blitz, 2nd place bughouse
Jeff Young = 29th place K-12
Jojo Zhao = 2nd place for U1800, 25th place blitz, 2nd place bughouse
Saratoga High School = 3rd place team for K-12

Mega kudos to David, Jeff, Jojo and the rest of the Saratoga High School chess team for a
tremendous performance in Milwaukee last weekend!  

Michael