The first chess tournament in Fayette County was great success, helping the Inman Elementary chess club raise some needed funds to purchase game equipment.
Inman teacher and chess club sponsor Charlie Harper saw a need in the community for a local chess tournament. After two years of taking his chess players to tournaments in Clayton and Coweta counties, he wanted to offer a competition closer to home, as well as give players in surrounding counties an additional tournament.
The first county tournament, held at Inman Elementary, drew 46 players, ranging in age from kindergarten to adult, in the novice, intermediate and advanced brackets. Players from Fayette and other counties battled for the top five places in each bracket.
Inman students turned up the heat on the competition with first-place wins by Bryce Bennett in the beginner bracket and Sawyer Banks in the intermediate bracket.
Tournament proceeds generated almost $400 for Inman’s chess club. A surprise donation of $500 from the Fayette County Civitans will be used, along with the tournament proceeds, to purchase chess game clocks, which typical cost upwards of $50 each. They are necessary for running tournaments, but they will also be used at club meetings.
“It was a fantastic event, and inquiries have been made about when we will have the next one. We will definitely be able to host another tournament thanks to the generous donation from the Civitans,” said Harper. “Their donation, combined with the proceeds raised, will help us purchase enough chess game clocks to host another tournament, plus club members will use them at our Friday meetings.”
Harper expects to host the second Fayette County Chess Tournament at Inman Elementary sometime between late September and early October.
