‘Older’ Rocky Top #1s in state chess
FIS, FPS, Northshore teams x strong
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Farragut High School’s Rocky Top Chess Club team took home the first-place trophy in 2025 Harry D. Sabine State Chess Team Tournament at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville Saturday, March 29. From left are Jared Li, Maggie Zhong, James Nguyen, Stephen Xiao and Bochen Jiang, with coaches Fei Tian and Fangxing Li. - Photo Submitted
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Farragut Middle School Rocky Top Chess Club team earned the first-place trophy in 2025 Harry D. Sabine State Chess Team Tournament at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville Saturday, March 29. From left are TCA president Christina Mullinax, team members Jiashen J. Jiang, Jason Zhang, Yi Sun, John Nguyen, Brian Liu and Jason Hu, and coaches Kai Sun and Qiang Zhang. - Photo Submitted
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Farragut Primary School’s Rocky Top Chess Club team finished third in the K-3 section of the Sabine State Chess Team tourney March 29. From left are Steven Hu, Michael Gui, Jason Xu, Chloe Dong and Kayden Song. - Photo Submitted
Farragut schools’ chess teams dominated in the older classificiations during 2025 Harry D. Sabine State Chess Team Tournament at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville Saturday, March 29.
Fei Tian, president of Rocky Top Chess Club, announced the Farragut teams’ success while noting the tournament drew the strongest scholastic chess teams statewide.
“Representing Farragut schools, students from Rocky Top Chess Club delivered an outstanding performance, taking first place in both the high school and middle school sections,” Tian said.
The Farragut High School team, led by National Master James Nguyen, captured the top spot in the high school section with other team members Stephen Xiao, Bochen Jiang, Maggie Zhong and Jared Li — all former students of the Rocky Top Chess Club — who “demonstrated elite-level strategy and coordination, “Tian added.
“Notably, three of the team members now serve as junior instructors at the club, giving back to the next generation of chess players,” he added.
In the Middle School section, Farragut Middle School’s team “continued its strong tradition by securing first place as well,” Tian said. The winning team featured John Nguyen, Yi Sun, Jiashen J. Jiang, Jason Zhang, Jason Hu and Brian Liu, “whose collective skill and focus led them to the top of a highly competitive field,” he added.
Tian said Farragut’s younger students also made their mark when Farragut Primary School finished third in the K-3 section. Team members were Chloe Dong, Jason Xu, Michael Gui, Kayden Song and Steven Hu.
Farragut Intermediate School placed fifth in the K-5 section. Team members featured Elsa He, Ryan Chen, Lucas Xiao, Joyce Hu and Lynzel Song.
Northshore Elementary School’s chess team, a newly formed group, placed 11th overall.
That team consisted of Lucas Li, Anvith Srichinta, Zane Tenry and Louden Doss. Lucas Li and Zane Tenry.
