Magic City Chess U Strikes Gold at 2011 Alabama State Scholastic Chess Championship C harles A. Smith, Founder and Executive Director <strong>of</strong> Magic City Chess U, struck gold last week at the 2011 Alabama State Scholastic Chess Championship tournament, held in Daphne, Alabama on March 25-26, as four <strong>of</strong> his students – Tyler Anthony, Zhuowei (Charby) Xu, Logan Mercer, and Samson Sands – were named State Chess Champions on March 25th. This brings the total number <strong>of</strong> individual state championships won by Smith’s students to eleven since 2003. W. J. Christian School, where he teaches a chess elective, remained undefeated throughout the team competition on March 26th to take first place as the State’s Jr. High Team Champion. Commenting on his students’ achievements, Smith said, “I reinvented the way that chess should be taught to today’s children, grabbing their attention, introducing them to the art <strong>of</strong> chess, and giving them the cognitive understanding to be chess champions.” ⇒ Tyler Anthony, an 8th grader at W. J. Christian School, tied for 1st place in the Jr. High Section. Tyler began learning chess two years ago in Smith’s elective in 6th grade. ⇒ Zhuowei (Charby) Xu, who has been under Smith’s tutelage since 2006, took home the first place trophy for the Middle School Section for 2011. He was also the Alabama State Scholastic Chess Champion for the Elementary section in 2008, and was one <strong>of</strong> three who tied for first place – Elementary in 2009. ⇒ Logan Mercer, who has studied with Smith privately for approximately four years, earned the Alabama State Scholastic Chess Champion’s title in the Elementary section. ⇒ Samson Sands earned the state’s top individual spot in chess for the Primary school section. He begun receiving instruction from Smith earlier this year. Students representing the W. J. Christian chess team at the tournament were: Sydney Morris, Na’Tan Shipman, Tyler Anthony, Craig Taylor, Brittany Grady, and Gerardo Soto. Magic City Chess U Team RAIN OR SHINE! Saturday, <strong>April</strong> 2, 2011 at Girls Inc. 5130 5th Terrace South, Bham 35212 12pm - 3:00pm Come join us for our 2nd Annual Crestwood Spring Festival! We'll have horse rides, bouncy castles, face painting, make your own bird feeder, mini-golf, and many more activities - including live music by local musicians. FREE hotdogs, funnel cakes, and drinks. Artwork by local artists will be for sale. Bring a picnic blanket and come hang out with neighbors and share some good food and good times!
William A. Bell, Sr., Mayor Cedric D. Sparks, Sr., Executive Director City <strong>of</strong> Birmingham Mayor’s Office-<strong>Division</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Youth</strong> <strong>Services</strong> 808 North 18th Street Birmingham, AL 35203 (P) 205-320-0879 (F) 205-322-7713 www.bhamyouthfirst.org
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