It was a weekend of strategic brilliance for the Ladue School District as students from across all grade levels competed in the 2026 Missouri State Scholastic Chess Championship. From individual titles to team trophies, our scholars showcased the critical thinking, patience, and focus that have made Ladue a premier name in competitive chess.

Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS) continued its historic run, winning the high school division for the sixth consecutive year. This dominant streak, which began in 2019, reached a new milestone this weekend. For the second year in a row, the team finished with a perfect 16-0 record, winning every match and every individual board from 1 through 4.

The success was district-wide, highlighting a strong pipeline of talent:

• Conway Elementary: Captured 1st Place in the 3rd Grade and Under division.
• Ladue Fifth Grade Center (FGC): Earned a 2nd Place team finish.
• Ladue Middle School (LMS): Earned a 2nd Place team finish.

The depth of our program was on full display with students representing Ladue Schools from Conway, Old Bonhomme, Reed Elementary, FGC, LMS, and LHWHS. In addition to our team trophies, several players earned the title of State Champion in their respective divisions. We congratulate the following first-place finishers from LHWHS:

Andrew Thomadsen (12), Luke Ye (12), Mohit Maringanti (12), Angella Zhang (11), Alex Zhang (10), Sean Gao (10), Forrest Yang (9), and Alvin He (9).

In addition to our champions, eight additional students from across the district placed in the top three of their divisions. Whether competing for a medal or gaining valuable tournament experience, students from our elementary schools through the high school contributed to a weekend where the Ladue Schools' presence was felt at nearly every table.