KML Chess: 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