Lakecity chess players headed north during the weekend for the first annual Vanderhoof Chess Tournament.
Four from Williams Lake — Scott Richardson, his son, Kai Richardson, Caleb Cebuliak and Nicholas Gysel — attended.
“Organizers Jeff Obayashi and Jeremy Hara put on an excellent chess event in the Nechako Valley Secondary School gym,” Scott said.
“We’re attended 30 to 35 chess tournaments, large and small, international and domestic and this tournament was well organized.”
Cebuliak and Gysel each competed in the scholastic division, while Scott and Kai played in the open division.
In the scholastic tournament Vanderhoof’s Ryan Carrier took first place, Quesnel’s Matthew Martin was second, Vanderhoof’s Josh Wu played to third and Cebuliak claimed fourth place.
Thirteen-year-old Kai, meanwhile, strategized his way to a first-place result in the open division. Andrew Martin (Quesnel) was second, Jeff Obayashi (Vanderhoof) took third and Jason Kadonaga (Vanderhoof) was fourth.
Cebuliak was also awarded a most sportsmanlike award alongside Sam Smith, Elise Nelson and Matthew Martin.
Scott said if anyone is looking to sharpen their chess skills, the Williams Lake Chess Club meets every Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Williams Lake Library.
Additionally, the club’s third annual Lake City Chess Open is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2016.