The kings of character
Hard work, camaraderie pay off for Argo H.S. chess champs bound for nationals
You might say Lucian Bogdan approaches the challenge of being chess coach for Argo Community High School the way a master player approaches the game.
He has a strong “opening theory” in which he encourages students to prepare for battle by reading about the game, working puzzles and attending Saturday tournaments. His “middle game” is all about being humble over successes and helping fellow teammates recoup from losses. And his “end game” focuses on celebrating victories, as well as the life lessons students can take away from the experience.
“I think our greatest success is that we’ve learned to be a team,” Bogdan said.
“We have fun together, we support each other. I remind them if we lose, we all lose, if we win, we win together.”
Winning is something the Argo chess team has done a lot of this year. Argo took first in Class 4A and came in 14th overall in the state, scoring ahead of Andrew, Sandburg, the Lincoln-Ways, Lemont and its longtime rival, Richards High School.
The season was a school best for the Argonauts, who broke their own record set in 2000 at February’s IHSA state chess championship. The Argonauts landed in the 91st percentile of the 149 schools.
“This year, for the first time,” Bogdan said, “Argo won conference for both varsity and JV (junior varsity) without losing any matches.”
Though the accomplishments have been rewarding, a hallway Wall of Fame and award plaques are not the only takeaways from a winning season.
Friendship, mutual support and critical
He has a strong “opening theory” in which he encourages students to prepare for battle by reading about the game, working puzzles and attending Saturday tournaments. His “middle game” is all about being humble over successes and helping fellow teammates recoup from losses. And his “end game” focuses on celebrating victories, as well as the life lessons students can take away from the experience.
“I think our greatest success is that we’ve learned to be a team,” Bogdan said.
“We have fun together, we support each other. I remind them if we lose, we all lose, if we win, we win together.”
Winning is something the Argo chess team has done a lot of this year. Argo took first in Class 4A and came in 14th overall in the state, scoring ahead of Andrew, Sandburg, the Lincoln-Ways, Lemont and its longtime rival, Richards High School.
The season was a school best for the Argonauts, who broke their own record set in 2000 at February’s IHSA state chess championship. The Argonauts landed in the 91st percentile of the 149 schools.
“This year, for the first time,” Bogdan said, “Argo won conference for both varsity and JV (junior varsity) without losing any matches.”
Though the accomplishments have been rewarding, a hallway Wall of Fame and award plaques are not the only takeaways from a winning season.
Friendship, mutual support and critical
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