Josiah Perkins, a 6-year-old first-grader from Coquille, contemplates his next move against Seth Lambson, 9, during the chess tournament held at the Boys & Girls Club of Southwestern Oregon Saturday. Elementary, middle and high school students competed for the chance to play in the state championship. World Photo by Lou Sennick

COOS BAY - Staring at her opponent from across a battlefield of cream and green squares, Sarai Perkins deftly wielded knights, pawns and bishops like a general at war, stopping only to fidget nervously, hum and contemplate her next move.

Although she managed to win each of her five games, the 9-year-old chess player felt the pressure of her youngest brother ever on her heels, as Josiah, 6, missed first place and a spot in a state chess championship by only a half-point. The siblings, who did not go head-to-head, played in the fourth-grade-and-under category in the Chess for Success Regional Tournament on Saturday. Children who win the regional competition qualify for the Portland nonprofit's annual state championship in March.

If the pieces had been played differently, a loss from Sarai could have meant more chess lessons, while her tiny brother played to win in Portland.

And of course, losing to her brother would have been almost too much to bear.

“It would have been kind of embarrassing,” Sarai said with a smile, adding she doesn't really mind that her sibling is almost at her level. “If he beat me, I wouldn't (have been) fourth-grade champion.”

Held at the Boys & Girls Club of Southwestern Oregon, the tournament drew more than 48 teens and children, who powered through match after match in hope of becoming one of six students to play in the Portland championship.

Chess teacher Nancy Keller, who leads the Coquille Chess Club, said only one student per category can go on to the next level. Categories are broken down into grades, including fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade, as well as an over-all high school bracket and one for students in the fourth grade or under. Students also can attend as a team if it wins a specific category.

“State is a major big deal,” Keller said. “They are really excited about going to Portland.”

Early moves

The morning of the regional chess tournament was filled with a higher level of anxiety than usual from the dozens of young players. Paired off by category, many of the students zipped haphazardly through their first games as nerves drove them to make moves that would later cost them spots in the state championship.

Mark Stephens, the chess adviser for the Coos Bay chess team, said when the stakes are high, the chess players become anxious. Along with the eight other players he brought from Marshfield High and Millicoma Intermediate schools, Stephens' sons, Jeff and Michael, also played in the regional tournament.

“All the kids know this is a qualifier for the state championship, so they are a little nervous to start out,” Stephens said. “(But) they weren't thinking about their moves. Everybody was making a lot of mistakes and kind of going, ‘Oh, man! What am I doing?'”

When the first round concluded, the players took a moment to refresh themselves, chat or play pool in the center, or dwell on the game they just won or lost.

Mid-game

By the time students regained their seats for the second round, it quickly became evident who had a chance to go on to state. With only seven students playing at the high school level, the regional title was won in three games.

After already beating two opponents, Jeff Stephens, 17, sat down to a “blood and guts game” with longtime acquaintance Nikki Keller, 18. The two teens said they have played against each other at tournaments since kindergarten.

After several piece exchanges, Keller and Stephens quickly realized that he was winning. One piece behind, Keller never caught up.

“I looked for a mistake that I could take advantage of, but he didn't,” Keller said, blaming her loss on being “rusty.”

Assured of his lead, Stephens said he played defensively, finishing off the game without giving way to Keller. While he said he knew he would win the match, Stephens said he tries to never underestimate his opponents or let his prowess on the board get to his head. He said he was nervous going into the tournament because he wanted to return to Portland for a third year.

“I don't like to lose,” Stephens said, quickly sweeping his shaggy bangs away from his eyes. Even so, a loss at the regional tournament wouldn't have been that terrible for the Marshfield High School junior. “I have another year to go. I'd be disappointed if I didn't go, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.”

End game

Angelina Perkins, the mother of chess players Sarai, Josiah and Seth, 13, spent much of the day nervously watching her children with a group of parents from an interior window at the recreation center. She said it can be difficult to watch them from opening to end game.

“It was very nerve-wracking - I wanted them both to win,” Perkins said of her younger son and daughter, who are both home-schooled and attend chess practice with the Coquille Chess Club twice a week. “One game was very, very hard for Sarai ... she was way behind the other child. I don't know how she made a recovery.”

While she did have to see one child lose, as both Seth and Sarai won their individual categories, it all worked out for the best, as Josiah will participate in the state tournament with Coquille. And this way, Sarai has a chance to shine.

“Sarai studies the game, but Josiah has an innate ability for the game,” Perkins said. “It's very exciting.”

Josiah, who seemed to nearly float in a long chess T-shirt, said he was happy to beat a sixth-grade student to win his second-place position. Although he didn't win as an individual, he didn't seem to mind losing the competition to his sister.

“It was fun,” Josiah said.