Sunset Elementary Student Places Seventh Nationally in Chess Competition

Published February 25, 2016

Sunset Elementary fourth grader Hemi Rambha may be young, but he is a veteran to the Nashville chess circuit, winning back-to-back Nashville City Championships and Tennessee State Championships in chess.

Last year, Hemi competed in the kindergarten through third grade section, coming out victorious in both events. This year, Hemi competed in the kindergarten through sixth grade section, also coming out on top.

“Winning back-to-back state championships is a great honor,” said Hemi. “Achieving both city and state championships in 2016, especially in a very tough competition between fourth through sixth graders, is an achievement I will cherish for a lifetime.”

The Nashville City Championship was held in January in Nashville. Hemi played a five game round robin with six finalists from throughout Nashville. He won four out of five games to become the co-champion this year.

He moved on to the Tennessee State Championship in February, held in Cookeville. Hemi played a five game tournament and was among 32 other finalists. Hemi won all five games with a perfect five points and became the state champion. Among his opponents were fifth and sixth graders.

In December, Hemi traveled to Florida to compete against fourth graders across the country at the National Chess Tournament. He placed seventh among all the fourth graders competing at Nationals.

“Placing seventh in the nation is a very happy thing and it tells me that I have the potential to be a great player,” said Hemi. “It is something I will probably not forget.”