(L to R): Alexander Muzafarov, Veer Patel, Sukumar Paidi, Ethan Hart, and Nathan Britton
The Vidalia High School Chess Team made an excellent showing this past weekend on the state level.
Alexander Muzafarov went 5-0, and the Vidalia High School Chess Team finished 4th in the GCA 2023 Georgia High School Team State Chess Championship Saturday in Lawrenceville.
The Vidalia team consisting of Muzafarov, Veer Patel, Sukumar Paidi, Ethan Hart, and Nathan Britton, finished the day with a record of 3-1-1 and ended the day as the Non-Metro-Atlanta Region Champions.
Bobby George, who serves as Vidalia's Chess Instructor (Coach), said, "these young men have worked over the years to develop the skills necessary for high-level chess competition. Much of their success results from working with coaches Sean Sasser and Jay Youngblood throughout middle school, and we appreciate their support. But the real reason this team was successful is because of the encouragement and support from their parents. These students are involved in high school sports, the band, and active clubs and organizations. Two players played baseball and soccer on Friday in Brantley County, then their parents drove them to Lawrenceville to compete in the State Chess tournament on Saturday morning."
With one junior (Sukumar Paidi) and four freshmen, George says the future is bright "we have a young team, and we hope to continue to grow as a program."
