BY IOANA GAGANELOVA AND DONOVAN GLOVER
JHT Staff Writers

     A king was crowned at John Hopkins Middle last week. Anthony Quandt knocked out all of his chess opponents to become J. Hop’s “grandmaster” at a tournament for chess club participants.

     The chess club, which goes by “The Check Mates”, meet every Monday and Tuesday in the media center to practice their chess skills and strategies with volunteer Mr. Melvin Smith. The tournament was sponsored by The Men of Yesterday, Today, and the Future.

    For earning first place at the tournament, Anthony was awarded an Amazon Fire tablet.

    “It feels nice to win,” said Anthony, who was inspired by his family to start playing chess in the third grade. “It is fun and maybe I can teach people.”

    Though Anthony took first place in the tournament, Joshia Boyd came in second place, and Isaiah Thomas placed third, and all three received trophies. The rest of the club earned medals for their involvement in the competition.

     Anthony thinks all students can benefit from playing chess.

     “It’s strategic and it helps you learn how to strategize,” he said.