Competitive UMBC Team Excels In Intellect
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- One of the most successful competitive college teams in the world is based in Baltimore.
As Mike Schuh reports, they excel in intellectual, not physical feats.
We are among intellectual thoroughbreds. These men are on the most consistent chest team in the country.
They just tied for second in a tournament that qualifies them to compete in the collegiate final four.
"We just have pretty strong players," UMBC chess player, Niclas Huschenbeth said. "Play together, we're there for each other, we support each other and together we have great team spirit."
Niclas is a grand master, the former champion of Germany. Raj is a former professional chess player and is also a grandmaster.
"And there is no other team that matches our record," UMBC chess player, Raj Kore said.
"It's really the best of the best playing each other and finding out who is the college champion," Huschenbeth said.
Move by move, they sift through their opponents previous matches building a mental database of their tendencies. Heavy lifting, made to look easy.
"I don't think you can go there just with talent or think just because you 're smart," Kore said. "You've got to have the trade off of hard work and most importantly, not giving up."
Their next big tournament to determine the best college team in the country will be held in April in New York.
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