Over 1000 junior high students competed in the National Junior High Championships last weekend in Sacramento, California. Check out the press release below with results, and look for Elizabeth Vicary's in-depth report with games and photos later this week. Vicary brings a valuable perspective, as a coach who thrives under pressure. Elizabeth coaches I.S. 318, a Brooklyn school that won three categories in Sacramento including the K-8 Open. Her article will include many games with comments from the kids themselves, including the winners of the K-9 Open, where there was a thrilling six-way tie for first.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Jerry Nash
April 3, 2007	Scholastic Director
Press Release #8 of 2007	jnash@uschess.org

(Crossville, TN) The U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) held their 2007 U.S. Junior High (K-9) National Chess Championship at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento, California. Play concluded among the over 1,000 young chess competitors on April 1, 2007.

Section Champions were:

K9 Championship: Alec Getz (NY) won on a tiebreak as six tied for first with 6.0 scores. Steven Breckenridge (OR), Gregory Young (CA), Christian T. Tanaka (CA), Michael Anthony Yee (CA), Grant D. Ho (FL).
K9 Team Championship: Hunter College Campus School (NY) with 21 points.
K9 Under 1250: Gabriel Rando Ewing (NM) and Kevin Izquierdo (NY) tied with 6.5 scores.
K9 Team Under 1250: I.S. 318 (NY) won with 22.5 points.
K9 Unrated: Zhiming Tu (NY) won with 7.0 points.
K9 Team Unrated: Coakley Middle School (TX) tied with Rockway MS (FL) with 20 points.

K8 Championship: Marc Tyler Arnold (NY) took first with 7.0 points.
K8 Team Championship: I.S. 318 (NY) won the team with 19.5 points.
K8 Under 1000: Three way tie between Markel Brown (NY), Miguel Sotolongo (FL) and Amit Saha (NY) with 6.5 scores.
K8 Team Under 1000: Rockway MS (FL) won with 23 points.
K8 Under 750: Kyler Stole (OR) won with a 7.0 score.
K8 Team Under 750: I.S. 318 (NY) won with 22 points.

Blitz Championship: Steven Breckenridge (OR) won with an 11.0 score.
Bughouse Championship: Team of J. Tan and J. Williams won with 11.0.

Parents & Friends Rated: Lawrence Martinez won with 4.0.
Parents & Friends Non-rated: Sesha Seshadri won with 4.0.
Parents & Friends Combined: Ruth Fermin and her mom Jasmine won with 4.5.

Peter J. Sherman rated 355 won the "Biggest Upset" prize and also receives the $250.00 scholarship donated by MyChessPhotos.com.

A complete list of all winners for every section can be found at: http://www.uschess.org/tournaments/2007/jhs/ Click on the "Results" button.

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The United States Chess Federation (USCF), founded in 1939, serves as the governing body for chess in the United States and is now headquartered in Crossville, Tennessee. USCF is devoted to extending the role of chess in American society. It promotes the study and knowledge of the game of chess, for its own sake as an art and enjoyment, and as a means for the improvement of society. The USCF is a not-for-profit membership organization with over 80,000 members.
For additional information on the USCF see: http://www.uschess.org.