The Esperanza Chess Queens competed this weekend at the Chess Girls D.C. 2019 Girls and Women Regional Championships sponsored by the United States Chess Federation in Washington, D.C.

Every one of the girls on the team took home a trophy, securing all but two of the prizes at the tournament of over 80 participants.

Congratulations to Deilyn Serrano from the High School and Vanessa Vasquez, Tiara Rosario, Diany Reyes, Valery Jeronimo, Noelia Morales, Valerie Martinez, Pricilla Ortega, and Desiree Franco from the Middle School.

Special Congratulations to Elena Feliciano who took 1st place and Jocelyn Machaquiza who took 3rd. Neither girl lost a single of their matches.

Women’s Grand Master Jennifer Shahade analyzed Jocelyn Machaquiza’s game. She told her that she had incredible talent and was doubly impressed when she learned that Jocelyn and the girls from Esperanza had only been playing chess for about a month – studying on their own time in books written by female chess players. She offered to donate books to the school to increase our library.

The girls also were able to see the Washington Monument and visit the White House briefly before returning to Philadelphia late Saturday night.

We are so excited to see the girls team progress as we start the Philadelphia League today on our run up to the 2020 All-Girls National Championship in April.

-Ms. Moshier