The following is a press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:

The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH)Chess Club achieved a record-breaking finish at the Shore High School Chess League Championship Tournament on Feb. 25.

RFH placed fourth out of 36 teams in the tournament at the Monmouth Mall for the best finish in school history.

Chess Club Advisor and RFH Math teacher Kevin Pfister describes sophomore Nicholas “Nick” Alescio as the club’s “Top Dawg.”

“Nick is the highest-rated player on our team, and his work ethic both inside and outside of school is remarkable,” said Pfister. “Last year, Nick was our ‘fifth board’ — and after one year of hard work and determination, he has landed himself as our ‘number one board’.”

“I am very excited to see Nick continue to grow as a chess player and as a student over the next two years.”

According to Pfister, the Chess Club provides an opportunity for RFH students to participate in friendly matches against their peers. As a Varsity Club, RFH competes each week against other schools in the Shore High School Chess League, with the top teams vying for a championship.

In addition to their historic finish at the Championship Tournament, the RFH Chess Club achieved a 2014/15 Regular Season record of 6-2. This was the best finish since 2007/08 and it earned the club a Second Place berth in the Fischer Division.

The club’s Playoff record was 2-2.

Members of the 2014/15 Chess Club are: Danny Alegria (Varsity Squad), Nick Alescio (Varsity Squad), Charlie Barnes (Varsity Squad), Jacob Black, Lizzie Boyce-Blanchard, Maggie Boyce-Blanchard, Justin Daluise, Theo de Quillacq (Varsity Squad), Jack Felice, Tristan Kilper, Peter Maris, Teddy Montalbano (Varsity Squad), Arnold Muralt, Logan O’Connell, Connor Placer, Cole Stevens (Varsity Squad), Alex Thomson, Alex Werner, Eli Weitzner, and Doug Young (Varsity Squad).