Photo courtesy of Holbrook High SchoolFellow Holbrook High School chess team members congratulate Donovan John (center) on his success at the AIA Regional Individual State Championship Chess Qualifier. Pictured are (left to right) Wesley Singer, Alexys Jacobs, Danielle Charley, Hadassah Tsosie, Donovan, Kerensa Spencer, Tiffany Seaton and Gracie John.
Photo courtesy of Holbrook High SchoolFellow Holbrook High School chess team members congratulate Donovan John (center) on his success at the AIA Regional Individual State Championship Chess Qualifier. Pictured are (left to right) Wesley Singer, Alexys Jacobs, Danielle Charley, Hadassah Tsosie, Donovan, Kerensa Spencer, Tiffany Seaton and Gracie John.

Holbrook High School junior Donovan John placed second in the AIA Regional Individual State Championship Chess Qualifier held last month. According to information provided by HHS, Donovan played masterfully, remaining undefeated throughout all five of his matches. There was only one other competitor with such a record, which meant the region had to determine the first and second place champions through additional tie-breaking rounds. This aberration, never occurring in the region prior to this weekend, was settled through blitz chess (a much faster version of the game where the players’ clocks are set to five minutes as opposed to 70 minutes). Although he played skillfully, Donovan was narrowly defeated. As second place region champion, Donovan will be representing HHS in the AIA Individual State Chess Championship taking place at Chandler High School on Nov. 16 and 17.