#ThisIsDope : These Young Chess Champs From Detroit Took Home National Awards

This Detroit Chess Team is showing the world their greatness! The University Prep Science and Math Elementary and Middle School Chess Teams won numerous first place awards at the U.S. Chess Supernationals IV Tournament held in Nashville, Tennessee. The team, comprised of elementary and middle school students, took home titles in the K6 Under 1400 and the K8 Under 750 sections.

In addition to the team awards Cameron Rector, a sixth-grader who won all seven of the games in his category, won the individual title in the K8 Under 750 section; this makes Cameron the top national chess player in this category, defeating over 370 other players. Seventh grader Sa’Nya Burton, also competed in this category and tied for 3rd in K8 under 750 section in national championship.

The CEO of University Prep Schools had this to say about his students:

“We are extremely proud of our UPSM elementary and middle school chess teams for winning this year’s national championships, and honored to have the nation’s top chess player as a student at our schools. These amazing students are a shining example of what is possible with hard work and a passion for the game of chess.”

The school’s chess coach has done an outstanding job working with these students. Kevin Fite, chess coach at UPSM Middle School, confessed that over twenty of his top chess players from last year were no longer with the team because they had graduated. Meaning, these 2017 champions had much to prove – and they did! Coach Fite explains, “

“Our players proved that with hard-work, dedication and setting goals you can achieve anything you set out to do. To have a group of Detroit kids bring back two national chess championships and the top player in the United States is a feat showing their Motor-City grit.”