Foster wins state chess tournament

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James Foster, a 3rd grader at Voyager Elementary School in Alexandria, won the Minnesota State Grade Level chess tournament in St. Paul in February. Foster went 5-0 against a field of 76 chess players to take home the first place trophy and a chess camp scholarship.

Going into the final round, he and two others were undefeated. Those two played each other and tied, opening the door for Foster. He won his match with 30 seconds on the clock, after his opponent ran out of time.

Foster will compete in three upcoming chess tournaments: the Scholastic National Tournament in Minneapolis in April and the Minnesota State Championship. If he gets in the top 16 at Minnesota State, he qualifies for the Tournament of Champions in May, the event that determines the Minnesota state champion.

Foster is the son of Sean and Shelli-Kae Foster of Alexandria. He is coached by his father, who is a teacher at Jefferson High School in Alexandria.

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