KML Chess Seeks to Defend D1 State Title, Finishes Third

KML Chess traveled to Madison seeded fifth in a field of six Division 1 teams at the 2026 Wisconsin Scholastic Chess Championships. With only one returning member from the 2025 championship team, the Chargers knew they would have a tough road to defend their D1 state title. 

KML opened the round robin event with a win against second seeded University School Milwaukee. They went on to draw with Brookfield Central in round 2 and Brookfield East in round 3. The Chargers were alone in second place after day one, facing unbeaten Middleton in round 4 on Sunday.

KML scored a win and a draw against Middleton (more than any other team at the tournament), but it was not enough to win. Having expended all their energy, the Chargers fell short in round 5 against New Berlin Eisenhower. Middleton cruised through the tournament unbeaten, and Brookfield East won both their rounds on Sunday to snag second place.

Senior Evan Senfleben had a fantastic tournament, scoring 3 wins and a draw on Board 3 for KML. With a score of 3.5 on that board, he was second only to the Middleton Board 3 player who was a perfect 5.0 on the weekend.

Division 2 (for teams rated 1100 or lower or unrated) was packed with 12 teams. KML entered a team of three freshmen and a sophomore to gain experience at this level. This KML team was seeded 12th and finished 11th.

KML entered three players in the JV section. Sophomore Andrew Meyer finished in the top 10 with 3 wins and 2 draws in 6 rounds.

Seventh grader Ivan Westin finished 7th out of 106 players in the K-8 section with 5 wins in 6 rounds. (Involvement by grade school players in the KML Federation helps build future teams, and we welcome their participation!)

These players did not shirk from challenges this year and successfully rebuilt themselves to prove they belong in Division 1 at the state level. We give all glory to God for their wins and successes and thank Him for being with us throughout our challenges and travels this season.

KML Varsity Chess, from left: Zachary Kesting (Board 4), Riley Lechmaier (Board 2), Dylan Hanson (Board 1), Evan Senfleben (Board 3)

KML Varsity Chess with Coaches, from left: Coach Ron Klemann, Evan Senfleben (Board 3), Dylan Hanson (Board 1), Riley Lechmaier (Board 2), Zach Kesting (Board 4), Advisor Angie Molkentin, Advisor Ben Walter

KML Chess: All 2026 Players and Coaches
From left: Coach Ron Klemann, Ivan Westin (7th Grade), Alexis Watters (KML B, Board 4), James Balza (KML B, Board 3), Logan Golner (KML B, Board 2), Mason Westin (KML B, Board 1), Evan Senfleben (KML A, Board 3), Dylan Hanson (KML A, Board 1), Riley Lechmaier (KML A, Board 2), Zach Kesting (KML A, Board 4), Andrew Meyer (JV), Joey Pedersen (JV), Delilah Kreuser (JV), Advisor Angie Molkentin, Advisor Ben Walter

KML B from left: Alexis Watters (Board 4), James Balza (Board 3), Logan Golner (Board 2), Mason Westin (Board 1)

Going over games between rounds

KML Varsity A vs. Brookfield East

Andrew Meyer, top 10 finish in JV section

Delilah Kreuser, JV player

Going over games between rounds with Coach Klemann

KML Varsity Chess Team Places 2nd in Final League Tournament

KML Charger Chess captured second place in the season-ending North Shore Milwaukee Chess League Tournament, just behind University School Milwaukee who earned its 9th straight league championship. The tournament punctuates five months of league play and provides valuable preparation for the state tournament, March 21-22 in Madison, where KML will defend its Division 1 state title.

Charger varsity team players include: Board 1 Dylan Hanson, Board 2 Riley Lechmaier, Board 3 Evan Semfleben, Board 4 Zachary Kesting.

Two other KML teams competed to gain experience for future seasons. 

KML Chess meets regularly between October and March, offering opportunities to learn, compete, and socialize. The Chargers are coached by Ron Klemann and the KML Chess program advisors are Angie Molkentin and Ben Walter. 

KML Chess hosts its popular summer chess camp June 8-11, 2026. Keep up with KML Chess news here and learn more about all KML summer camps here.

KML Varsity Chess left to right: Jackson Agenten (alternate), Riley Lechmaier (Board 2), Dylan Hanson (Board 1), Evan Senfleben (Board 3), Zachary Kesting (Board 4).

KML 2nd Team left to right: Mason Westin (Board 1), Andrew Meyer (Board 2), Logan Golner (Board 3), James Balza (Board 4).

KML 3rd Team left to right: Delilah Kreuser (Board 4), Joey Pedersen (Board 3), Alexis Watters (Board 2), Ivan Westin (Board 1).

Coach Klemann helps players between rounds.

KML Teams Earn Experience and Hardware at WI Gradelevel Tournament

KML Chess players earned valuable experience at the Wisconsin Gradelevel Tournament held Saturday, February 28 at UW-Milwaukee. The annual tournament included nearly 400 players from Kindergarten to high school competing by grade level. Every player contributed to the team's success, and several players earned individual honors.

KML's 9th grade team included James Balza, Mason Westin, and Delilah Kreuser. The team earned third place and James Balza placed 10th overall in the section with 3 wins in 5 rounds.

KML's 10th-12th grade team included Dylan Hanson, Evan Senfleben, and Alexis Watters. The team earned 2nd place and Dylan Hanson placed third overall in the section with 4 wins in 5 rounds.

7th grader Ivan Westin from Good Shepherd, West Bend, placed 9th in his section with 3 wins and a draw in 5 rounds.

The Chargers are preparing for the state tournament March 21-22 in Madison, where they will defend last year's Division 1 state title.

KML Chess Players at the WI Gradelevel Tournament

394 K-12 players competed in five rounds

The sportsmanship of chess

Helping teammates between rounds

KML players with team and individual awards