Fuller Cowell Is Mackinac Island Public School's 'King of Chess'

Mackinac Island senior Riley Chaffee (left) tries to save his king during the final moves of the school's chess tournament Wednesday, February 27. His efforts were thwarted moments later when junior Fuller Cowell took the match and won the school title of Chess Champion.

Fuller Cowell was named Mackinac Island Public School's chess champion Wednesday, February 27, following six weeks of competition.

"It was fun," said Mr. Cowell, an 11th grade student. "I learned new strategies and tactics. Mr. Greenlee taught us a lot."

The idea for the tournament came from a Christmas present. English teacher Lance Greenlee's daughter Meadow received a chess set for Christmas, and he decided to learn the game with her. When his Island students showed an interest, the tournament was born.

Matches were played during free moments between classes, at lunch, and after school. The games were not timed. A Swiss scoring system, which awards points for matches won and lost, tracked the competitors' standings.

The competition was open to students in grades eight through 12.