Chess Whiz Kids Academy (CWKA) made its seventh appearance at the World Chess Festival, previously known as the America Youth Chess Festival, recently.

CWKA entered a delegation of 14 students, its youngest-ever team, consisting of Abbie McClenaghan, Alejandro Wilson, Kamar Davidson, Caitlyn Grant, Daician Scott, Taraji Francis, Jayden Walters, Imani Blake, Rhia Johnson, Breya Johnson, Isaiah Rowe, Ross Blackwood, Dontae Byro, and Joshua Jackson.

The team was led by School Instructor Crissia Graham, head of delegation, FIDE Master Malaku Lorne, and National Master Ryan Blackwood.

CWKA made an immediate impact on the first day, with Isaiah Rowe, Jayden Walters, Taraji Francis, Imani Blake, Dontae Byro, and Rhia Johnson sweeping the first six places in the Capture the King section. This performance led to CWKA winning the top club for the championships.

Breya Johnson took first in the U250 section, while Ross Blackwood won the U500 section with Grant placing third. Wilson and Davidson were third and sixth, respectively, in the U1000 section.

All students participated in the evening Blitz tournament. The standout performance came from McClenaghan, who took first place with a perfect 8/8 score. Wilson was second.

Davidson won the U1200 event of the Youth Championship and Puzzle Solving division on day-two, while Grant took the U600 section.

CWKA finished strongly on the final day, with Blake placing third, Byro ninth, and Walters tenth.

Blackwood was fourth in the under eight section, Rowe seventh, Breya Johnson ninth, and Rhia Johnson 12th. In the Under 1600 section Alejandro Wilson finished first. CWKA was recognised as the Top Club for the seventh consecutive year.