2021 KML Summer Chess Camp - All Glory to the King!

We hosted 37 campers, made possible by the outstanding work of the KML Chess players who taught younger players how pieces move, what squares pieces love, how to checkmate, and that chess is more about learning than it is about winning and losing. What a great group of current and future Charger Chess Players!

Season Awards from the 2020-21 Season

Here is a link to the awards presentation from the 2020-21 season. Congratulations on your great work, Chargers!

Chargers varsity A team finishes 3rd in Division 1 during conference play in 2021 season

It's been a strange year, for sure. Instead of shaking hands and facing opponents over a board, our players battled in weekly conference games virtually. We're so thankful that the coaches of the Northshore Milwaukee Chess Conference found a way to host competitions online to give players a competitive experience in the 20-21 school year. 

The Chargers began conference play shakily, unsure about the virtual platform and whether they wanted to make a run to win as a team. Points for each Thursday meet were cumulative. Conference play started with 14 5-person teams from 9 different schools, and the Chargers finished Meet #1 with one team in fifth place in Division 2. Recognizing their potential, KML players kicked it into gear. They set a goal to win Division 2. 

With tough competition, the Chargers remained in 5th place after Meet #2 on February 4. It wasn't until the February 11 meet that they rose in the standings. After Meet #3, the Chargers found they had leapfrogged past all the D2 teams and had entered Division 1, 4th place. They held that spot after the February 18 meet. University School Milwaukee and Brookfield East seemed uncatchable, while the scores remained tight for all the other teams. Another notable achievement at the February 18 meet - the Chargers rounded out another team of 5 players scoring points in meets, and KML now had a "B" team climbing in the standings. 

At the Thursday, February 25 meet, the Chargers "A" team pulled into 3rd place in Division 1, and the "B" team was in Division 2 in 7th place. In the four-hour conference finale on Friday, February 26, both KML teams held off the competition and finished D1 3rd and D2 7th. It's the highest finish yet for KML in conference play. (KML's varsity team finished fourth in conference play in 2017 and also in 2018.) This year's final conference standings are posted below.

All of our KML players have encouraged and pushed each other while vying for the five positions on the A Team. KML has a deep and talented team of players who exceeded the goals they set for themselves this year. To God be the glory, who enables us all to use our unique and varied talents.

KML's Varsity A Team:
Ethan Rodell, sophomore - 128 points
Nathanael Himsel, freshman - 122 points
Ryan Wirkkula, junior - 109 points
Christian Klemann, sophomore, 77 points
Ben Willis, junior, 75 points

KML's "B" Team:
Jeff Koepke, sophomore, 44
John Koepke, sophomore, 40
Nate Guevin, sophomore, 35
Zak Schulz, sophomore, 27
Jake Kasten, sophomore, 21

Four other KML players scored points as part of a "mixed school" team that finished 2nd in Division 3: Julian Cook (freshman), Noah Kreis (junior), Matt Hilzley (freshman), Emmi Lechmaier (junior).

The Chargers are now preparing to enter the Wisconsin State Chess Championship, which will also be held virtually, on Sunday, March 21.

NORTHSHORE MILWAUKEE CHESS CONFERENCE
2021 SEASON FINAL STANDINGS:

Points earned in 5 meets:	Division	Place (place last week)	TEAM
1278	Division I	1st	USM A
650	Division I	2nd	B. East A
511	Division I	3rd	KML A
484	Division I	4th (1st Div II)	MSL A
462	Division II	1st (4th Div I)	Kewaskum A
340	Division II	2nd (3rd)	Reagan A
328	Division II	3rd (2nd)	B. East B
264	Division II	4th	Pewaukee A
207	Division II	5th (6th)	Kewaskum B
206.5	Division II	6th (5th)	King
167	Division II	7th	KML B
144	Division II	8th	USM B
136	Division III	1st (8th Div II)	B. East C
127	Division III	2nd	MIXED A
97	Division III	3rd (2nd)	Wisco A
83	Division III	4th (3rd)	Pewaukee B
82	Division III	5th (4th)	Kewaskum C
33	Division III	6th	MIXED B
24	Division III	7th	MIXED C
23.5	Division III	8th (5th)	Reagan B

2019-2020 Season Wrap-up

KML Chess in the 2020-21 School Year

 First meeting Wednesday, October 21!

• We meet every Wednesday from 3:30 to 5, 2nd floor in the library

•  Drop in for fun or train for matches and tournaments

•  Get announcements by emailing chess@kmlhs.org or text Advisor Mrs. Molkentin at 414-640-7230

Four Chargers Win at USM Chess Meet

Six KML Chargers racked up four wins good enough for 7^th place at the 12-team USM Chess Meet. Our young Chargers came into the meet ranked 7th based on point-scoring ability and are working on building their individual ratings and the team's ability to climb in the rankings for these meets. Ryan Wirkkula, Jake Kasten, Ethan Heder and Max Banner all scored wins for KML and improved their personal ratings. Our next action is Thursday, January 30 at Brookfield East.

USM MEGAMEET RESULTS 1/16/2020

Brookfield EAST     8788

New Berlin West     5819

Wisconsin Lutheran HS     5664

REAGAN     5239

HARTFORD     4499

Brookfield Academy     4317

KMLHS     3494

Eisenhower     2582

KEWASKUM     1004

Kettle Moraine HS Wales     912

Wauwatosa East     621

Milwaukee HS Arts     0

  

USM     0

SMCA Megameet at Brookfield East

Five KML players (four freshmen, one senior) worked on their ratings at Saturday's Megameet hosted by Brookfield East. Three rounds and a few nice wins for our young team! 

Every match starts with a handshake.