The Jesuit High School chess team dominated the 2026 Oregon High School Chess Team Association State Championships, securing 6A titles at both JV and varsity levels along with the overall first-place trophy. All five varsity players won their respective boards in a complete sweep of the event. This victory marks the school's fifth varsity state chess title in six years.
Last weekend in Portland, Oregon, the Jesuit High School chess program showcased exceptional teamwork and strategy to claim victory at the 2026 Oregon High School Chess Team Association State Championships. The team excelled by winning 6A state titles in both the junior varsity and varsity divisions, while also capturing the first-place overall trophy for the tournament.
"It's definitely something to be proud of," said 15-year-old Ademidun Adebolu, a team member. "We were all a little scared of the competition, but just us as a community, a chess team, I feel like I'm just happy that we were able to pull through."
Coach Dr. Russell Fiorella, who prefers the title of "team moderator," highlighted the students' superior skills. "They truly swept the event," Fiorella said. He noted that the players rarely ask him to play, as "they would destroy me!"
Standout player Ishaan Kodarapu, a 17-year-old U.S. Chess National Master—a ranking achieved by only 1% of players—emphasized the joy of the game. "I love coming after school on Thursdays every week to enjoy chess, teach chess, play chess with my friends," Kodarapu said. Along with his brother Neev, also a teammate, Kodarapu co-founded Puddletown Chess, a nonprofit promoting the game among young people from diverse backgrounds.
Seventeen-year-old Aidan Chan stressed the importance of learning from others. "You can't just play on your own and get better. You have to learn from other people," Chan said. He added that understanding the nuances of moves is crucial: "If you can't find even that little reason why one chess move is better, you're just going to be that tad bit worse during the game."
This win represents Jesuit's fifth varsity state chess title in six years. In 2025, they were defeated by Westview, which finished as runner-up this year. "I'm proud of them," Fiorella said. "To see them get the recognition that they deserve felt really good."
