Player Spotlight: Johnathon Dennis

John Dennis is a passionate chess player of the Sehome High School chess team. The SHSCT consists of 5 players (plus reserves) that compete against teams of 5 from other schools in Washington. John is currently the highest rated player of the team and thus plays as the 1st board. During their last season, John went on to score 6.5 points out of 7 games for the Sehome team in their regional matches, helping them qualify for the "2020 Washington High School State Championship".

John started off learning chess from his father. But in the Summer of 2016, John's older brother Sean brought him to his first ever rated tournament. He scored 1.5/3 points and ended with a rating of 486. 2 years later as a freshman, John became the SHSCT's 3rd alternate, a relatively low ranked position, that he soon began to leave behind. Throughout the next 4 years, John steadily increased his rating to where it currently is now... A very sought after 1481. Making John one of the highest rated scholastic players north of Seattle.

His study habits are very simple... Using the tactics trainer on chess.com, reading chess books, and most importantly... playing games. Some books he highly recommends for beginners wanting to improve are "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess" and "Common Sense in Chess".

Why does John enjoy chess so much? "Because it is fun!" he says. John continues, "It's fun to be put through tactical situations that force the more prepared individual to come out on top".

One thing is for sure, John will continue his improvement and love for the game throughout the next scholastic season.

You can find John in the NW Washington Chess Club: chess12387