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CFSD Students Shine at Arizona State Chess Championship, Coached by CFSD Legend Ken Larsen 🏆

Posted Date: 03/03/26 (05:00 PM)
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Checkmate! CFSD chess players brought home an impressive collection of awards at the 2026 Arizona State Grades Championship on Saturday, February 7, at Madison Meadows Middle School—including a team championship, a 3rd place individual finish, and multiple top-20 placements statewide!

Ventana Vista 2nd Grade Team: State Champions! 🏆
Ventana Vista Elementary is proud to celebrate our 2nd Grade Chess Team, who captured first place, competing against schools across Arizona, including Knox Gifted Academy and multiple BASIS schools.
Championship Team:

  • Nik Jain (4 points) – placed 7th overall in individual competition statewide
  • Angelos Kyriacou (3 points) – placed 17th individually
  • Ian Moore (1.5 points) – placed 34th individually
These second graders competed both as a team and individually against all 2nd graders statewide, proving that Ventana Vista students can compete with—and beat—anyone.

CFSD Individual Excellence Across the District
Coach Ken Larsen's impact extends across CFSD, with students from multiple schools placing in the top ranks:
Sunrise Drive Elementary:
  • Aiden Liu (3rd grade) – 3rd place individually 🥉
  • Bryce Kuhlman (3rd grade) – 26th place
  • Samuel Liu Polito (3rd grade) – 27th place
Manzanita Elementary:
  • Benjamin Elitzer (1st grade) – 13th place
  • Adams Elitzer (4th grade) – 15th place
These students participate in chess through CFSD's Community Schools afterschool program, which offers enrichment opportunities in academics, arts, STEM, and athletics. Chess teaches strategic thinking, problem-solving, patience, and perseverance—skills that extend far beyond the chessboard into academic and life success.
A CFSD Chess Legacy Spanning Generations
CFSD students are coached by Ken Larsen, whose impact on CFSD chess spans more than four decades. Coach Larsen has been coaching chess in Tucson since 1983, earning the title of Tucson's "Chess King" for his dedication to developing young strategic thinkers across the district.
What makes this championship season even more special? Coach Larsen coached Nik Jain's dad, Sameer Jain, when he was a CFSD student, and Sameer went on to become an Arizona state champion himself.
Now, decades later, Coach Larsen is passing that same wisdom to the next generation of CFSD chess players. As Sameer told KGUN9, "Ken is a good individual. He's got a kind heart; he cares. He's very smart. He plays chess at an extremely high level."
This chess season represents Coach Larsen's dedication to developing strategic thinkers and competitive chess players across CFSD. 

Congratulations to:
  • Ventana Vista 2nd Grade Champions: Nik Jain, Angelos Kyriacou, and Ian Moore
  • Sunrise Drive competitors: Aiden Liu (3rd place!), Bryce Kuhlman, and Samuel Liu Polito
  • Manzanita competitors: Benjamin Elitzer and Adams Elitzer
  • Coach Ken Larsen has provided four decades of excellence in chess education
  • All the families who supported these young chess masters
KGUN9 featured Coach Larsen and Nik Jain in October 2025, profiling Tucson's "Chess King" and the next generation of champions he's mentoring. Watch the full story: https://www.kgun9.com/sports/local-sports/a-second-generation-of-champions-is-mentored-by-tucsons-chess-king