Vista Middle School’s chess team made an impressive showing at this year’s Washington State Scholastic Chess Championships. Last week, in Tacoma, Vista finished 11th out of 75 schools, in a competition that featured more than 1,500 players.

For many Vista students, the event marked their first time competing at the state level. Despite the scale and intensity of the tournament, the team rose to the occasion. “It’s easy for students to feel intimidated,” said Randy Kaech, Vista's Chess Club advisor. “But they performed right at their rating level and, as a group, they did very well. Finishing 11th was a pleasant surprise.”

Preparation played a key role in the team’s success. The Vista Chess Club meets weekly from mid-January through April, blending instruction with gameplay. Early sessions focus on shorter, fast-paced matches, while later practices simulate tournament conditions.

Beyond competition, the chess club emphasizes lifelong skills. Chess helps students develop critical thinking, patience and the ability to see situations from another person’s perspective, Kaech said.

“It’s not just about winning. It’s about growth —both in skill and character," he said.

The success at State is also a reflection of Kaech's long-standing commitment to chess in the Ferndale School District. He began coaching at Ferndale High School in 1998 and added Vista around 2003. After retiring from the U.S. Postal Service in 2021, he expanded his work to support chess clubs across nearly every school in the district.

His approach to growing the program is simple: make it accessible and engaging. Students are encouraged to teach one another, and beginners are welcomed with open arms.

“Tournament results are great, but what matters most is improvement over time,” Kaech said.

With strong leadership and an enthusiastic group of players, Vista’s chess club continues to build momentum, one move at a time.

Vista students who participated at State were: Nicolas Cancelosi, Mason McNeil, Aleksey Gorun, Prabhkirat Kaur, Tony Triano, Abel Clemens, Finn Gilday, Gavin Bennett and Luke Clark.

Mr. Jensen, Vista Middle School Principal