Club News
Ultimate Gladiator U1750
03/21/2026
This weekends Ultimate Gladiator had 12 warriors battling to be the masters of disaster on the chess board! Taking 1st Place was a newcomer named Aravind scoring 3.5/4 taking the 1st Place Trophy. In 2nd Place was Oleksandr with a score of 3.5/4 as well but losing out on tiebreaks taking the 2nd Place Trophy. Oleksandr has proven time and time again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the Ultimate Gladiators! Both champs shared the $160 prize. Honorable mention goes to a new gladiator by the name of Samir for scoring ¾ taking the best U1450 prize of a free entry for any of the future Gladiators. Congrats to the champs and thanks to all the chessters that participated. See you all in the next Ultimate Gladiator!
Chess2Think Central Region Tournament
03/14/2026
This past weekend as you can see Arnav was ready to battle and scored 4/5! He placed 18th out of 133 chessters. His team hailing from my very own elementary school Charles R. Hadley which I went to placed 6th out of the 24 schools that were competing. Master Arnie proved he has the resilience, ferocity, prowess and confidence in order to be a chess champ! Through hard work and dedication he has shown much improvement in not only his skill but in developing the psychological fortitude that is needed to be a winner. I am very proud of his success in the Chess2Think Central Region tournament. I have a feeling that this will be one of many great tournament performances to come and would like to congratulate his accomplishment as well as his team for a job well done.
Ultimate Gladiator U1950-U1050
03/14/2026
In the U1950 their were 6 gladiators battling to be the top dog but in the end 2 rose up and claimed 1st and 2nd. These two Ultimate Gladiators were Olivio, a gladiator back from the past who has claimed many victories In the ChessMinds Chess Colosseums. The other a young newcomer by the name of Rogelio whom shows much promise in his chess power! Both finished with a score of 3 out 4 with Olivio winning 1st on tiebreak, splitting the $100 prize. In the U1050 we had 4 gladiators fighting for their place in ChessMinds Hall of Fame history with two of them finishing tied for 1st. Hozac and Marvin both finished with a score of 2.5/3 becoming Ultimate Gladiators in their own right! Congrats to our new Ultimate Gladiators for the Month of March
Ultimate Gladiator U1950-U1050
02/21/2026
In the U1950 Ultimate Gladiator Thomas was successful in vanquishing his foes! He finished with a score of 2/3 taking the 1st Place Trophy and the $70 prize. He has become a regular on club news and in the Hall of Fame showing his chess power! In the U1050 Diego went undefeated with a perfect score of 3/3 taking the 1st Place Trophy and the $70 prize and becoming the Ultimate Gladiator!
Ultimate Gladiator U1650
02/14/2026
In our Ultimate Gladiator on Valentines weekend we had 11 warriors battling to be the Ultimate Chess Gladiator! 2 Brothers even came from far away lands of Peru to seek glory and one of them did…Mark took 1st Place with a score of 3/4. In 2nd was Oleksandr with a score of 3/4. In 3rd was Isaiah Greene with a score of 3/4 and in 4th was Ariane Houston with another score of 3/4. Places were decided by tiebreaks but they all shared the $160 spoils of battle. Congrats to all the Champs!
Ultimate Gladiator Colosseum U1650-U1250
01/31/2026
In our first Ultimate Gladiator Colosseum in Kendall we had a total of 13 Gladiators battling for glory in two sections. In the U1650 Oleksandr defeated all his foes and finished with a perfect score of 4/4 taking the 1st Place Trophy and the $100 prize. In 2nd it was a tie between Dylan and Nelson, they both split the $55 prize but Dylan took the 2nd Place Trophy on tiebreaks. In the U1250 Michael prevailed and placed 1st with a perfect score 4/4 taking the trophy and the $100 prize. In 2nd Place was James with a score of 3/4 taking the trophy and the $55 prize. Best U1000 was a promising newcomer Isaiah with a score of 2/4 in his second tournament. Congrats to all the champs!
Ultimate Gladiator U1050 &
Chess2Think Initiative North Regional Tournament
01/24/2026
4 Chessters achieved glory on this day! Nikolas dominated the U1050 Ultimate Gladiator with a perfect score of 4/4 taking the 1st Place Trophy and the $100 Prize Money! He showed no mercy! Tied for 2nd were Sebastian and Hozac with a score of 3/4. Sebastian took the 2nd Place Trophy in tiebreaks but both gladiators shared the $60 Prize. Congrats to the winners!
In the Chess2Think Tournament Amanda dominated with a perfect score of 5/5! She was the only girl in the top 5. She is proving time and time again that she has what it takes to be a champion!
Ultimate Gladiator U1650
01/17/2026
In our first U1650 of the new year we had 8 warriors battling for their place in ChessMinds Gladiator Hall of fame! Roberto was up to the task and vanquished all his foes with a perfect score of 4/4 displaying a true Ultimate Gladiators strength in the chess colosseum! Roberto took home the 1st place trophy and the $90 prize. In 2nd place there was a tie between Ariane Houston and Nelson Frioni with Ariane taking the 2nd place trophy in tiebreaks but splitting the $50 prize. Congrats to these fine gladiators and their amazing start of 2026!
9th Annual Gulf Coast New Years Open
01/02 - 01/04/2026
2026 started with a bang! It has been a while since I had made it into our clubs headlines, tied for 2nd in the U1800 at the Gulf Coast with a score of 4/5. Gulf Coast has always been my favorite tournament in Florida due to it being right after Christmas and New Years, when I am well rested for chess battle! Lets see if I can keep the fight strong for the rest of the year and have some more shots of glory for 2026!
Ultimate Gladiator U1050
12/20/2025
In our last Ultimate Gladiator U1050 of the year we had a total of 8 gladiator fighting for their shot at glory to become the Ultimate Gladiator! One gladiator by the name of Inbhan rose to the task and defeated his foes with a perfect score of 4/4 and showed he was worthy to become Decembers U1050 Ultimate Gladiator taking the 1st Place Trophy and the $90 prize! Another gladiator by the name of Shreya was not far behind taking 2nd Place with a score 3/4 taking the 2nd Place Trophy and $50 prize! Congrats to the champs and thanks to all who participated.
Ultimate Gladiator U1650
12/13/2025
The U1650 Ultimate Gladiator had many new warriors wanting their shot at glory! But it was one from the past that came, saw and conquered once again. Thomas Barkasi won with a score 3.5/4 taking the 1st Place Trophy and the $100 prize. Two new gladiators tied for 2nd Place Roberto Torres and Alfonso Chie both split the $60 prize but Roberto Torres secured the 2nd Place Trophy on tiebreaks. Congrats to the winners!
Pinecrest Thanksgiving Open K-5
11/08/2025
In the Pinecrest Thanksgiving Open Amanda Carlos dominated the K-5 section defeating all her foes being invictus with a score of 5/5. Congratulations to Amanda in her fine display of chess mastery! May she have many more victories to come!
Ultimate Gladiator U1600
11/01/2025
In November 8 warriors came to battle it out to see who would be the conqueror of the Ultimate Gladiator U1600! One familiar face was able to prevail above all, his name Robert Abramovich! He won with a score 3.5/4 taking the 1st place trophy and prize money. 2nd place victory went to a new Gladiator by the name of Somali Brighthaupt with a score of 3/4. Will Robert keep dominating the Arena or will he fall? Stay tuned…
Colosseum Games Challenge #3
10/11/2025
In our final Colosseum Games Robert Abramovich vanquished his foes and won 1st place winning 3/4 of the classical games and 4/4 of the rapid games making him the Challenge #3 champion and winner of the $150 prize. Honorable mention goes to Nelson Frioni for going undefeated in the classical games with a score of 4/4 but 0/4 in the rapid games and Nicholas Andreu who won the best U1250 $50 prize. In the overall series it was Eric Calhoun who proved to be the Ultimate Gladiator proving himself in all 3 challenges making him the Colosseum Games overall champion taking home the $125 bonus prize as well as the Spartan trophy!
U1050 Ultimate Gladiator
09/27/2025
In September’s U1050 Ultimate Gladiator Two Chess Gladiators rose above all! Aariv Cherukuri won all 4 games finishing with a perfect score. Taking the 1st place trophy and the $100 prize making him the Ultimate Gladiator for September. This marks the end of Aarivs dominance in the U1050 as now he has risen to new heights and must face the U1550 Ultimate Gladiators in November! In second place Noam Cariglio showed some awesome chess skills winning 3/4 games. Noam took home the 2nd place trophy and the $60 prize money. Congrats to the winners and thanks to all those who participated. Now the question is who will be the next U1050 Ultimate Gladiator in October?…
1st Place Aariv Cherukuri
2nd Place Noam Cariglio
Colosseum Games Challenge #2
09/13/2025
In our second Colosseum Games tournament it was a hard fought battle between three chess gladiators Robert Abramovich, Eric Calhoun and Oleksandr Korotkov which all tied in the classical portion of the tournament with a score of 3/4. But in the end there could only be one chess gladiator to rise above all! Robert Abramovich won 1st place by vanquishing his foes with his blitz prowess making him The Colosseum Games September champion and winning the $150 prize. Honorable mention goes to Sebastian Navarro for Being the best U1250 winning the $50 prize. Only one more Colosseum Games Challenge left. Who will be the Ultimate Gladiator and win the finale in October and take the bonus cash prize!?…Who’s destiny is destined for greatness!?…
U1050 Ultimate Gladiator
08/23/2025
IIn August’s Ultimate Gladiator U1050 Oleksandr Korotkov and James Younes rose to the top scoring 3.5/4. But in their rapid match tiebreak Wisdom prevailed over youth and Oleksandr won and secured 1st Place taking home the $100 prize and the 1st Place trophy. James Placed 2nd and won the $60 prize and 2nd Place trophy. Congratulations to both players on their victories! Honorable mentions go to Aariv, Sanjivsai and Karthik who all were trailing right behind the winners with 2.5/4.
Colosseum Games
Challenge #1
08/16/2025
In our first Colosseum Games tournament Eric Calhoun was unstoppable winning the tournament with 3.5/4 taking home the $150 winner takes all 1st place prize. Nikolas Ustundag was the only one that came close to putting a stop to Mr. Calhoun by being the only player to secure a draw against eric. Best U1250 was Diego Gonzalez finishing the tournament with 3/4 and taking the $50 prize. Honorable mentions go to Gene Ligo and Nikolas Ustundag which also finished strong with a score of 3/4. Now the question is will Eric be able to continue dominating and secure victory in Colosseum Games Challenge #2 or will someone rise from the ashes and take his thunder!? Stay tuned…
U1550 Ultimate Gladiators Mid Year Championship
07/12/2025
The U1550 Ultimate Gladiators Mid Year Championship had many newcomers come and battle it out to try and prove that they are the U1550 Ultimate Gladiator! Two of them rose to the top defeating chesster after chesster and finished with a perfect score of 3/3. Eric Calhoun and Zac Wendroff both finished undefeated but in the end just like in Highlander their could only be one! Both of them fought in a rapid tiebreak battle to claim 1st Place and after the dust settled Zac won the tiebreak and took home the 1st Place Trophy and the $130 prize. Eric took the 2nd Place Trophy and the $90 prize. Honorable mention goes to Sagi Abiri and Gene Ligo both were right behind them with 2/3.
U1950-U1550 Ultimate Gladiators
05/24/2025
In Mays Ultimate Gladiators Thomas Barkasi was able to do the unthinkable and win a 2nd time in the U1550 section with a perfect score of 3/3 games! He is now a two time champion and so far the only Ultimate Gladiator to have won twice with a perfect score. In the U1950 section we had a former champion win again! Platon Kaidash proved to his foes that he is the Ultimate Gladiator in the chess octagon placing 1st with a score of 2.5/3 making him now a 2 time champion in the U1950 section. Congrats to both players and lets see if they can keep up their dominance in the 64 squares!
Platon Kaidash 2 Time Champ U1950
Thomas Barkasi 2 Time Champ U1550
Space Coast Open 2025
In Mays Ultimate Gladiators Thomas Barkasi was able to do the unthinkable and win a 2nd time in the U1550 section with a perfect score of 3/3 games! He is now a two time champion and so far the only Ultimate Gladiator to have won twice with a perfect score. In the U1950 section we had a former champion win again! Platon Kaidash proved to his foes that he is the Ultimate Gladiator in the chess octagon placing 1st with a score of 2.5/3 making him now a 2 time champion in the U1950 section. Congrats to both players and lets see if they can keep up their dominance in the 64 squares!
FSCL Super Championship K-3
04/26/2025
Congratulations to Mr. Aariv for his amazing performance in the FSCL tournament in Hialeah Gardens. He was undefeated and finished with a score of 4.5/5 securing 2nd place and adding another trophy to his collection. Super Nationals here we come…
U1950-U1550 Ultimate Gladiators
04/26/2025
In Aprils Ultimate Gladiators Thomas Barkasi defeated all 3 of his foes in the U1550 scoring 3/3 to prove that he is the Ultimate Gladiator!! He took home the trophy as well as the $60 prize. In the U1950 Olivio De La Torre and Platon Kaidash both scored 2/3 with Olivio clinching 1st place and the trophy in tiebreaks. Making this Olivio the first 2 time Ultimate Gladiator champion! Both shared the $60 prize. Congrats to the champs and thanks to all the participants.
64 Squares Scholastic Tournament
04/12/2025
Mr. Aariv has done it again ladies and gentleman! As a wise man once said “veni, vidi, vici”. He came, he saw and he conquered. Aariv finished the tournament with a score of 5/5 taking 1st place in the last of the 64 Squares Grand Prix K-3 tournaments for the 2024-2025 school year. The Grand Prix consisted of a total of 7 tournaments and a total of 35 games. He finished at 90% with 31.5/35 points tying for 1st place in points, but due to his peer having more head to head wins Aariv took 2nd place overall. To me its the same as 1st. Congrats to Aariv for having the heart of a lion and getting it done. Another two trophies added to his collection.
Ultimate Gladiator U1150 Quad
03/30/2025
In the first Ultimate U1150 Gladiator Aariv, Michelle, Mia and Sofia battled it out to see who would prevail and become the Ultimate Gladiator! After a hard fought battle between all 4 of them Aariv became the Ultimate Gladiator with a score of 3/3 taking 1st place and the $50 cash prize. 2nd Place went to Michelle with a score of 1.5/3 winning the chess book prize. I am sure that Sofia and Mia will come to April’s Ultimate Gladiator for revenge!
U1950-U1550 Ultimate Gladiators
03/29/2025
In March’s Ultimate Gladiators Anthony Borzillo and Nelson Frioni both scored 2/3 in the U1550 section with Anthony clinching 1st place in tiebreaks, taking home the medal but sharing the $60 loot. In the U1950 Juan Dominguez won 1st place with 2.5/3 taking home the trophy and the $90 loot. Congratulations to the victors for an amazing performance!
Florida State Scholastic Championship 2025
In March’s Ultimate Gladiators Anthony Borzillo and Nelson Frioni both scored 2/3 in the U1550 section with Anthony clinching 1st place in tiebreaks, taking home the medal but sharing the $60 loot. In the U1950 Juan Dominguez won 1st place with 2.5/3 taking home the trophy and the $90 loot. Congratulations to the victors for an amazing performance!
Southern Class Championship 2025
Myself, Nelson Frioni, Jose Diaz and Juan Dominguez at the Southern Class. None of us were able to place and claim a prize but we had a great time playing chess and having some laughs with old friends!
64 Squares Scholastic Tournament
03/01/2025
Congrats to Aariv for another fine display of chess mastery winning 4.5/5 games in K-3 sharing 1st Place as co-champion. Florida State Scholastic Championship Aariv is coming for you!
FSCL South Regional Tournament
02/22/2025
Congratulations goes to Mr. Aariv for placing 5th with 4/5 in the K-3 section and adding another trophy to his collection. I have to admit I am a little jealous as I have not won a single trophy yet this year…
Central Region Chess2Think Tournament
02/08/2025
The Ponce Team finished middle of the pack at 7th place out of 14 schools. Not to shabby considering we only had 4 players in our team when compared to the other schools that had between 8-10 players. The team consisted of Joseph, Felix, Sofia and Viviana. Our two top players leading the team were Joseph and Felix who both finished with respectable scores of 3/5. Very proud of the team. They will be ready for the Super Nationals in May!
U1950-U1550 Ultimate Gladiators
02/01/2025
In this weekends tournament the power of youth prevailed! In the U1950 section Platon Kaidash overcame all obstacles and got it done by defeating Keijon Dennis, Juan Dominguez and a draw with Olivio De La Torre last month’s winner and finished with a score of 2.5/3. Congrats to Platon for being victorious.
In the U1550 section Emmanuel Falana rose to the challenge and defeated all three of his opponents. His victims were Anthony Borzillo, Thomas Barkasi and Jose De La Colina. Congrats to Emmanuel for being the Ultimate Gladiator!!
Emmanuel and Platon in their glory!
Emmanuel and myself.
64 Squares Scholastic Tournament
01/11/2025
In his first tournament of 2025 Mr. Aariv came to the chess battlefield punching hard! He knocked out all 5 of his opponents to become the K-3 1st place champ! Congrats to Aariv. I am very proud of him. Maybe the next Anand or Gukesh…
Ultimate Gladiator Quads U1950-U1550 Tournament
01/04/2025
In Quad A U1950 Olivio De La Torre Placed 1st by defeating me, Juan Dominguez and a draw the 3rd round with Nelson Frioni (AKA Rambo) finishing with a score of 2.5/3. Congratulations to Olivio for such a fine display of chess mastery!
In Quad B U1550 Artem Tarnavskyi dominated and won all 3 games. He defeated Anthony Borzillo (AKA The Don), Sagi Abiri and Rafael Tome finishing with a score of 3/3. Congratulations to Artem for being invictus!
Olivio De La Torre
Artem Tarnavskyi
64 Squares Scholastic Tournament
12/14/2024
Battling it out in the last tournament for 2024. Congrats goes to Mr. Aariv for being on fire and winning 4/5 games placing 3rd in the K-3 section. Awesome tournament! We all had fun. Also if you look closely in one of the photos one of my students seems to have so much chess wisdom that he has a beard and has gone through some strange growth spurt….
