DHS Students are Chess Champs

Jeremy Goodsnyder, a freshman at Deerfield High School, won the second place trophy in his section at the third annual NSCC Scholastic Chess Tournament in Skokie on March 17.

"Jeremy was playing with much higher-rated opponents than he, with a result of four points out of six games. Our congratulations to Jeremy on his achievement!" said Polina Katsen, Deerfield Park District chess instructor.

Big congratulations also go out to Katsen's former student, DHS junior Jonathan Kogen, on being a National Master. On Feb. 24, Kogen won the Illinois Denker Qualifier tournament with a 5-0 score.

"I remember him as a kindergarten student who studied chess at Deerfield Park District over three years and as a very diligent kid who loves to play the game of chess. As a result, he received many awards as the winner of many tournaments in which he participated at that time," said Katsen.

"Being a National Master is Jonathan’s biggest success in chess to date. I feel this success belongs first of all to his parents who supported him all the time and helped him to be successful and to Jonathan himself."

Kogen will represent Illinois at the national Denker Tournament of High School Champions chess tournament in Madison Wis., in July.

Kogen will also volunteer his time to play chess and share his knowledge of the game at the Patty Turner Center.

For more information, call (847) 945-0650 or e-mail info@deerfieldparks.org.

Submitted by the Deerfield Park District