Making Moves: Olivia Blackman Represents Grace at Chess Tournament

Congratulations to Olivia Blackman!

On Saturday, May 17, third-grader Olivia Blackman proudly represented Grace Lutheran School at her first-ever chess tournament—the Chicago Chess Foundation’s 7th Annual All-Girls Chess Tournament.

Facing off against 27 other second- and third-grade competitors from across the city and suburbs, Olivia showed incredible resilience. After a tough first-round loss, she came back strong to win her next three matches in a row, finishing in a tie for third place! While tie-breaker rules kept her just shy of a trophy, Olivia remained upbeat and grateful for the experience.

“It was a good experience to play against different girls, meet new people, and make new friends,” she shared. “I enjoyed learning different checkmates from Coach K, and I think anyone interested in chess should join our club.”

Coach K had high praise for Olivia’s performance: “Olivia’s talent and unwavering dedication made her a perfect fit for the All Girls Chess Tournament. I am delighted to witness her participation and her remarkable achievement of scoring above average on her first attempt; that’s no easy feat. I’m thrilled to see her compete and inspire others.”

Way to go, Olivia—we’re proud of you!