Henry’s former Chess4Kidz students win top two prizes

Joel Smith and Dennis Zhao. Promotional photos by the Temecula Chess Club.

February 22, 2025: Two of Henry’s former Chess4Kidz students finished in first and second place amidst a field of 13 competitors in the 4-round Junior Joust Tournament of Champions hosted by the Temecula Chess Club. Joel D. Smith, who studied chess with Mr. Doktorski at the Homeschool Campus at Christ Church in Murietta, and Dennis Zhao, who studied with Mr. Doktorski at the Van Avery Preparatory School in Temecula, both finished with 3.5 points each. Joel won the first place prize on tiebreaks.

Henry noted, “I am delighted that two former students have continued their chess studies and finished first and second in the Junior Joust Tournament of Champions. Dennis Zhao began studying chess with me in February 2017 at Van Avery Preparatory School in Temecula. A few months later, in September 2017, nine-year-old Joel Smith began studying at my Chess4Kidz classes/tournaments at the Home School Campus Charter School at the Murrieta Church of Christ. Now both players are in their late-teens, and their skills have dramatically improved. Dennis and Joel are forces on the chessboard not to be taken lightly.”

Henry and former Chess4Kidz student Joel D. Smith shake hands before doing battle at the Temecula Chess Club (January 28, 2025). Their game ended in a draw.

Mr. Doktorski’s Chess4Kidz class at Van Avery Prep (March 2017). Dennis is wearing a red shirt and laughing and waving. His brother Evan is sitting quietly in the back.

Joel Smith at Mr. Doktorski’s Chess4Kidz class at Homeschool Campus at Christ Church in Murietta (May 10, 2018).

Two weeks later, Joel wins the first place trophy for sixteen consecutive wins in a field of 17 players (May 24, 2018).

The final standings. This chart does not reflect the fact that Joel won the first-place prize on tiebreaks. A few of Henry’s other former students, such as Evan Zhao, Destan Le and Zenobi Torian also participated in this tournament.

For more about the Temecula Chess Club, go to: Temecula Chess.Com.

For more about the United States Chess Federation, go to: US Chess.Org.