La Center High School chess team improves on state championship performance

La Center — A year after finishing last at the Washington High School Chess Association State Championship tournament, the La Center chess team had a stronger showing last weekend, as they tied for 13th place. Thirty-two teams competed in the tournament, which took place at Issaquah High School. They also doubled their point total from last year’s state championship performance, from 6.5 to 13 this year. The team, which was in its first full season of competition, narrowly missed earning a trophy by just fractions of a point, said Coach Timothy DiStefano. Chase Jamieson, the team’s top-ranked player, went 4-1 during the tournament, and beat a player rated 1835, the highest-rated player he’s defeated in competition.