Western Pa. libraries prepare for upcoming chess tournaments

At 12 years old, Sidd Ramineni is understandably a little shy when it comes to discussing his accomplishments.

But with a display shelf at his Murrysville home that’s filled with chess trophies, he certainly would have plenty to brag about.

“I like the strategy you have to use,” said Sidd, who again is gearing up for the annual library chess tournaments held throughout the region.

He is a two-time winner at the Delmont Public Library’s tournament, including last year’s competition. And he brought home first- and second-place finishes at the Murrysville Community Library tournament as well as wins at the Westmoreland County level.

And that only covers the past four years.

Kids in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to compete in the tournaments, which take place at most county libraries in the area.

Winners will advance to the countywide tournament March 28, which will be hosted by the Murrysville library.

For Harry Replogle of Apollo, who runs both the Murrysville chess tournament and the Westmoreland County tournament, it’s a chance to watch students put his lessons into action.

“I’ve been playing chess for about 50 years,” Replogle said. “It’s the challenge of the game. There are so many possibilities.”

Replogle regularly works with chess students at the Vandergrift Public Library, conducting a Monday evening class from January through March.

“I help prepare them for the tournaments and also teach,” he said.

Newcomers must get familiar with the intricacies, challenges and well-worn strategies employed in the nearly 1,500-year-old game.

“Some of the first things I need to correct are opening strategies,” Replogle said. “You always want to prevent the ‘four-move checkmate’ that almost every beginner falls for.”

Sidd has no such worries, but admitted he has his challenges, as well.

“I play too fast sometimes, and I make mistakes when I do that,” he said.