Although most people believe that chess is not a valid sport, the Garfield Chess Team is out to prove everybody wrong. This year the team is the best in the state, let alone the Metro conference.

Led by phenom freshman Devon Manber, who some say is the Tony Wroten of Chess, the team finished the regular season undefeated and was the best in their conference. Last weekend Garfield won the state tournament, defeating Mercer Island, the defending state champions.

With newcomers such as Manber and sophomore Zach Wener-Fligner, along with returning seniors Dylon Chow, Bo Cao and Justin Yan, the team has experienced unprecedented success this season. Recently, they dominated their rival Lakeside in the conference championship, winning every match, despite facing major disadvantages.

“Private schools like Lakeside and Mercer Island have huge budgets and can afford to have professionals come and teach their teams,” said Jeffrey Nomura, the Chess Team’s advisor. “We are considered a club, and therefore do not receive any of the same benefits as the other sports teams.”

This disparity has not stopped the players from succeeding this year. Both Chow and Wener-Fligner were selected to the 1st team All Metro, a team that only has 5 spots reserved for the top point scorers in the entire conference. Manber would have also made 1st team, but being Garfield’s best player, he is often matched up against the most formidable players of other schools.

“Devon is definitely our best player,” said Wener-Fligner. “He led our team to state.”

Heading into the state tournament, Garfield was ranked number one in the state, which is the highest seed that they have ever received under the tutelage of Nomura. Before this year, they have come close to winning state for many years in a row, but the state title has been elusive. Last year the team was ranked 4th heading into the tournament and suffered a tough playoff defeat to Mercer Island in the finals.

“We have come close to winning every year,” said Nomura. “And last year we came super close.”

However, this year was different. The Bulldogs were in a “peak year,” and had all of the necessary elements of a championship-caliber team.

“The whole team plays well,” said Nomura. “We have a great combination of new players and veterans.”

Having not played Mercer Island in the regular season, it looked as if there was only one team between the Bulldogs and that long-awaited first place trophy. But with an excellent performance from Yan, who won all five of his matches, along with three wins apiece from Manber and Cao, the team finished with 2.5 more points than Mercer Island, and in first place overall.

“Mr. Nomura was so happy,” Said Cao. “He took us to Red Robin afterwards, and paid for all of our dinners.”