NOTE: The Husky Scholastic Chess Tournament, held at Maryhill Museum of Art on September 20, 2025, brought youth community together to inspire analytical (and artful) thinking. We are pleased to publish this press release from Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation and look forward to partnering with them again in future years.
Press Release
Goldendale, WA— On Saturday, September 20, 2025, chess players from four counties in Oregon and three in Washington came together at Maryhill Museum of Art for a Husky Scholastic Chess Tournament. This was the second time that Sherman County School had hosted a U.S. Chess Federation (USCF-rated) Swiss-style tournament, but it was their first time hosting one in the M.J. Murdock Education Center of Maryhill Museum, and for those who were able to attend, it was an enjoyable event! Forty-two players competed in two groupings based on age and ability for trophies and medals.
Tournament Winners
In the K12 Open (advanced) Section, Eevie Tare from the Beaverton area won 1st place, while Gage Simpson (Sherman) took 2nd, and Colby Large from Goldendale HS took 3rd. In addition, Riley Darcy (Hermiston) earned an Evens Medal for winning half of his games.
In the U700 MS/HS section, Stephen Orendorff (Sherman) won 1st place, while Olivia Burbank (Sherman) took 2nd, and Wyatt Bolton (Goldendale HS) took 3rd. Additionally, Colin Watts (Goldendale HS) and Arian Burnett (Sherman) both earned Plus medals for winning more than half of their games, and Ivan Miner (Goldendale homeschool) earned an Evens Medal.
In the U700 Elementary section, Xavier Harmening (Goldendale homeschool) won 1st place in a Blitzoff with Gibbs Miner (Goldendale homeschool), who took 2nd. Kennan Cranston (Sherman) took 3rd place.
In the U300 MS/HS section, Riley Hyer (Goldendale HS) won 1st place, while Trapper Malcolm (Sherman) won 2nd place, and Sebastian Burbank (Sherman) won 3rd place. Additionally, Xander Spadt, Trysten Lofthouse, Mark Susi, Aiden Devlaeminck, Evan Lancaster, and Zane Moore (all from Sherman) earned Plus medals, while Luke Holliday (Sherman), William Phelps (Sherman), and Elli Wood (Goldendale, Homeschool) each earned Even’s Medals.
In the U300 Elementary section, Micah Earl (Sherman) won first place, while Simon Burbank (Sherman) won 2nd place, and Joey Batastini (Goldendale Homeschool) won 3rd place. In addition, Joyce Orendorff (Sherman) won a Plus Medal.
Maryhill Museum of Art: The Ideal Setting for a Scholastic Chess Tournament
“The most amazing environment for a chess tournament that I have ever seen!”
The museum’s George E. Muehleck, Jr. Gallery of International Chess Sets offers a historical global overview of chess, accompanied by anecdotes and stories about the game. A varied selection of its unique chess sets and chess-related works of art are on display, from antique Indian warriors to Simpsons-themed and other pop culture sets. According to Phil Shapker Mendez, the President of Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation, who served as the Tournament Director at this event, this facility at Maryhill Museum was “the most amazing environment for a chess tournament that I have ever seen!” With stunning views of the Columbia River, a nice, warm, sunny day, with only a moderate breeze, and world-class art all around (of which, in the vicinity of the tournament), there were so many stunning artistic chess sets, the environment is quite possibly the most perfectly conceived for a chess tournament, that any at the tournament have ever known!
Perhaps what is even more amazing is that the museum offered free admission to all who were there for the tournament, so naturally, many players and family members took time to explore the museum. Sherman County Chess and all of the participants wish to thank the Maryhill Museum of Art for being such gracious hosts, and wish to offer thanks as well to the James Weir Fund for providing the funding used to provide this opportunity to the 42 players who participated and their families. We are very grateful as well to the Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation for covering the transportation costs of the TD and for covering the USCF Membership fees for the new and renewing players (a very kind gesture, indeed!). Thanks as well to Jeremy Lanthorn, who photographed the event at this awesome venue, and to all the staff of Maryhill Museum of Art for their help setting up and facilitating the tournament!
For those interested, Sherman County School will be hosting one more tournament this school year on Nov. 8th, so please mark your calendars for it.
Read more about the event in this article from the Goldendale Sentinel >>