Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
    • Submit a Press Release
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • EVENTS
  • Toggle search form
  • Vehicle crashes into Orland Park Post Office on 114th Place.
    Car crashes into Orland Park post Office accident
  • Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    CLE at Leving firm to focus on conflicts of interest in family law cases Jeffery Leving
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program Frankfort
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund Blogger
  • The Orland Fire Protection District hosted its 22nd annual commemoration to honor and remember the victims of the terrorist attacks that took place on Sept. 11, 2001 during a ceremony at the Fire District
    Orland Firefighters host commemoration to remember victims of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks Events
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels Business
  • Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade Culture
  • Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez, 15th Ward, champions rights of Chicago residents
    Ray Lopez leads and champions rights of Chicago residents Chicago
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings, 19th Senate District
    Hastings reminds residents to make a plan during National Preparedness Month Features
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Big franchise restaurants have turned a “tip” into corporate welfare Blogger
  • Photo courtesy of PRIMETIME Sports and SeatGeek Stadium
    SeatGeek features competition between Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club Leon on Saturday Sept. 9 News
  • Veteran Diana Howard addresses a disrespectful Village of Orland Park Village Board meeting on August 21, 2023. She was viciously attacked in Mayor Pekau's eNewsletter
    Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor Blogger
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dads’ Rights Victory: In battle of aunts, our client gains time with orphaned niece Blogger
  • Village representatives, led by Mayor Chris Getty, met at 7905 Ogden Avenue on Friday Sept. 1 for the grand opening of Strive Fitness. Pictured is owner Shawn Groll and Village President Christopher Getty
    Mayor Chris Getty and Village officials celebrate opening of Strive Fitness Business
  • OFPD receive International Accredited Agency status. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District OFPD
    Orland Fire Protection District receives the nation’s highest accreditation honor Fire
School Chess Club. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Argo High chess team “phenomenal”

Posted on June 8, 2017June 10, 2017 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Argo High chess team “phenomenal”
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Loading

Argo High chess team “phenomenal”

Boys team enjoys best season in school history

By Steve Metsch

If you run into a member of the Argo Community High School chess team this summer and he challenges you to a game, it’s probably not a good idea to test your luck.

Chances are you won’t last long against someone who’s part of the most successful chess team in school history.

The school’s chess team won its division in the state meet, and then performed very well in the nationals held in Nashville in May with several team members finished near the top.

“We did really well –  I’d say phenomenal – in the national event,” said coach Lucian Bogdan, a math teacher at Argo.

School Chess Club. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
School Chess Club. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In Nashville, players compete in different classes, ranked by skill.

“I had two full teams. One in the unrated section, these are beginner players who don’t have much experience. They just started. But I also had five players in another section who played players at their strength, and I had two more in another section,” Bogdan said.

“The two teams won national awards. The unrated, our team came in second place in the country and the other team finished sixth in the country,” Bogdan. “Oh, yes, I’m very proud of them. They worked very hard.”

The unrated team consisted of sophomores Edgar Viurquez and Andres Lopez, junior Julllian Delgadillo and freshman Elliot Van Wagner, Bogdan said.

The U1200 Team was composed of seniors Greg Walkosz, Armando Patino and Rashmin Patel, junior Justin Turziak and sophomore Roberto Albor, Bogdan said.

Individually, Albor and Walkosz finish 6th and 35th, respectively, of 365 students in the U1200 division, Bogdan said.

Viurquez and Lopez respectively finished 8th and 11th, of 44 players in the unrated section.

Sophomore Andrew Orlos, and senior Stefano Herrera, in the more advanced U1600 section, respectively finished 12th and 15th of 110 students, Bogdan said.

The national completion was held May 12-14.

Earlier in the school year, in February, Argo enjoyed its top performance ever at state.

“State was the best performance in our history. We took 14th place overall out of 149 schools competing. And we won first place in our division,” Bogdan said.

The state competition was held at the Peoria Civic Center.

“You play seven rounds and there’s a tiebreaking system. It’s a formula they use. If you’ve won against a school that’s done well in state, you get more points. The stronger the team, the higher (points) you get. That’s how it goes,” Bogdan said.

The top eight players competed in the state meet. Argo won a plaque for doing well in state, he said.

This year is a result of continued success and plenty of practice, he said.

“Each year, we’ve slowly played better and better. The students are working harder, spending a lot of effort. This year, our focus was character,” Bogdan said.

That means he sometimes charged them minor fines – 25 cents – if a player were to tease or make fun of an opponent, he said.

“Also, I made sure when someone lost a game, the whole team encouraged that person saying ‘It’s okay, we’ve got this, we’ll be alright.’ Just to make that effort to be a team, to support each other. I think that made a big difference,” Bogdan said.

The team practiced three days a week at school. Matches started in October and ran through January in the conference.

School officials at first were concerned about sending the team to nationals, citing concerns over it being just before finals. But in the end the team was allowed to go and it worked out very well, Bogdan said.

“I think the success we had at state made the school decide to change their mind. There was definite concern about academics because it was right before finals week for the seniors, but (school officials) decided to give them a chance after the success we had at state,” Bogdan said.

Looking back, he thinks it was all about being prepared.

“I always told the kids, ‘If you come to chess to win trophies, don’t expect any. If you come to chess to get better, make room for your awards.’ I think this was very important for the students to understand that just coming to chess practice will not make you a much better player, but spending extra time at home as well to prepare will make a difference,” he said.

Desplaines Valley News

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News Tags:Argo chess team, Argo Community High School, Lucian Bogdan

Post navigation

Previous Post: Lyons announces schedule of Summer concerts
Next Post: Countryside offers free music

Related Posts

  • US Huey helicopter sprays Agent Orange in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    House passes Congresswoman Newman’s amendment on study of Panama Canal Veterans impacted by Agent Orange Federal
  • Home fire at 7300 block of 157th Street, Orland Park. April 21, 2021. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection DIstrict
    Fire damages bathroom and attic in Orland Park home, no injuries breaking news
  • Attorney and WVON Radio Talk Show host Kimberley Egonmwan. Photo courtesy of WVIN
    Egonmwan withdraws from 16th Senate Race to continue advocacy work on behalf of the community  Chicago
  • Criminal investigator and Reavis High school graduate Paul Ciolino, co-host of the POPO Report on WLS AM Radio
    Paul Ciolino co-hosts new WLS radio show on crime Chicago
  • Wolves Hockey. Photo courses of the Wolves
    Wolves Hockey Playoff tickets on sale starting Thursday Briefs
  • SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview
    Chicago Fire sets dates for “home games” at SeatGeek Stadium because of date conflicts with Soldier Field and Bears classifieds

More Related Articles

Owners of Remodeled Cicero Bar Commend Restore Construction Features
CDC Image of girl sneezing. Coronavirus Illinois Health officials announce highest one-day COVID-19 totals – 4,015 new cases Business
Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois Newman receives endorsements from progressive women’s organizations elections
Ray Hanania home at 89th and Luella Avenue. Picture 2017 Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas to begin sending $25.4 million in automatic refunds to Cook County homeowners  Chicago
State of Illinois Summer Food Service Program provides meals for young people under the age of 19 Children under 18 can get free meals through state program Education
Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar Aguilar accuses opponent of faking endorsements Cook County

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Pappas’ office helps Chicago couple get $2,447 property tax refund
    September 15, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Big franchise restaurants have turned a “tip” into corporate welfare
    September 9, 2023
  • Veteran Diana Howard addresses a disrespectful Village of Orland Park Village Board meeting on August 21, 2023. She was viciously attacked in Mayor Pekau's eNewsletter
    Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor
    September 6, 2023
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dads’ Rights Victory: In battle of aunts, our client gains time with orphaned niece
    September 3, 2023
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas
    Taxpayers get help finding refunds for overpayments, missed exemptions
    August 31, 2023
  • Statue of Liberty. Photo courtesy of Fabian Fauth on Unsplash
    America weakened by bullying, hatred and media hypocrisy
    August 24, 2023

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Vehicle crashes into Orland Park Post Office on 114th Place. Car crashes into Orland P... Car crashes into Orland Park post Office At approximately 1:49 PM on Thursd... posted on September 22, 2023
  • Veteran Diana Howard addresses a disrespectful Village of Orland Park Village Board meeting on August 21, 2023. She was viciously attacked in Mayor Pekau's eNewsletter Veteran Diana Howard cour... Veteran Diana Howard courageously confronts abusive Orland Park Mayor By Ra... posted on September 6, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon Hastings urges residents... Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program State... posted on September 18, 2023
  • Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon Commissioner Monica Gordo... Commissioner Monica Gordon Announces Advisory Council to Address Violence P... posted on August 27, 2023
  • Chicago Alderman Raymond Lopez courtesy of Twitter Chicago Aldermen set to r... Chicago Aldermen set to reestablish limits to Welcoming City Ordinance  Fol... posted on August 28, 2023
  • NEWS
  • Vehicle crashes into Orland Park Post Office on 114th Place.
    Car crashes into Orland Park post Office
    September 22, 2023
  • Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    CLE at Leving firm to focus on conflicts of interest in family law cases
    September 19, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program
    September 18, 2023
  • The Orland Fire Protection District hosted its 22nd annual commemoration to honor and remember the victims of the terrorist attacks that took place on Sept. 11, 2001 during a ceremony at the Fire District
    Orland Firefighters host commemoration to remember victims of Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
    September 13, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels
    September 13, 2023
  • Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    September 13, 2023
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Orland Fire Protection District acquires 6 Stryker Xpedition Powered Stair Chairs to more easily and safely rescue victims in emergencies
    Orland Fire District utilizes new technology to increase emergency victim safety
    August 20, 2023
  • Suspect Alisa Velcu charged in Verion Store theft July 26, 2023 in Bloomington, Illinois. Mugshot supplied by the DuPage County State's Attorney
    Bond Set for Two Women Charged with Robbing Bloomingdale Verizon Wireless Store
    July 26, 2023
  • The Village of Orland Hills, Mayor Kyle Hastings State Senator Michael Hastings and Orland Township Highway Commissioner Antonio Rubino are partnering to host a Free "Shred and E-Recycling" day for families to be held Saturday August 26, 2023.
    Orland Hills to host “Shred and E-Recycling Day” Saturday August 26, 2023
    July 18, 2023

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Ziyad Brothers Ad Taste of Middle East

Events

  • State Rep. Cyril Nichols hosts Open House Sept. 30, 2023
    State Rep. Cyril Nichols hosts Open House Sept. 30, 2023
    30 Sep 23
    Ford City Shopping Mall, Chicago
  • Rubino and Hastings host Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Oct. 14
    Rubino and Hastings host Hazardous Waste Recycling Event Oct. 14
    14 Oct 23
    Orland Park
  • United Citizens Party hosts annual Fundraiser Oct. 21, 2023
    United Citizens Party hosts annual Fundraiser Oct. 21, 2023
    21 Oct 23
    Countryside

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Photo courtesy of PRIMETIME Sports and SeatGeek Stadium
    SeatGeek features competition between Club Deportivo Guadalajara and Club Leon on Saturday Sept. 9
    September 8, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Senator Michael Hasting ensures degraded former Tinley Park Mental Health Center to be revitalized into a sports park in new law
    May 24, 2023
  • Michael Schofield III Sports Complex, Orland Park. Scoreboard
    Kendall and Michael Schofield Family Foundation Sponsor Park Redevelopment
    May 23, 2023
  • Chicago Hounds rugby at Seat Geek Stadium July 8, 2023
    Chicago Hounds rugby announce plans for Dawg Town block party
    May 11, 2023
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Dads' Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    CLE at Leving firm to focus on conflicts of interest in family law cases
    September 19, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings urges residents to apply for energy bill assistance program
    September 18, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels
    September 13, 2023
  • Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    Cicero celebrates Mexican Independence with festivities and parade
    September 13, 2023
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings, 19th Senate District
    Hastings reminds residents to make a plan during National Preparedness Month
    September 11, 2023
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Hastings pleased to see more than $700,000 in grants awarded to local hotels
    September 13, 2023
  • Village representatives, led by Mayor Chris Getty, met at 7905 Ogden Avenue on Friday Sept. 1 for the grand opening of Strive Fitness. Pictured is owner Shawn Groll and Village President Christopher Getty
    Mayor Chris Getty and Village officials celebrate opening of Strive Fitness
    September 1, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Financial ratings agency raises rating for Lyons Township Government
    August 25, 2023
  • State Senator Michael Hastings introduces law to revive long dormant and degraded Tinley Park Mental Health Center into a Sports Park for the community. Photo courtesy of the State Senate President Don Harmon
    Measure by State Senator Michael Hastings to secure the South Suburban Airport now law
    July 28, 2023

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme