The undefeated Independence High School chess team (6.0) is prepping for the top three possible opponents; Brophy Prep (6.0), Trevor Browne (5.0) and Maryvale  (3.5) in the Rounds 7-11 Tournament on Saturday.

Patriots head coach Bill Bolton said the last two matches against teams in their own section on Friday, Oct. 5 ,will then determine where they will fall into the intersection play on Saturday, when they could be playing the Brophy and Phoenix Union school.

After two successful tournaments to start the season the undefeated Patriots are in the No. 1 spot with a 617 score rating among 10 schools in the west valley.

Meanwhile, the undefeated Broncos had their own success during the first two tournaments that earned them an 856 score rating, also putting them in the top spot among 10 schools in the East Valley.

"We spend a little more time on strategy," said Bolton in preparation for the team's next matches. "Trying to make them feel much more comfortable and relaxed playing at the higher level of competition, that's the big thing there."

Patriots seniors Stephen Hoven and Anthony Adams, two of the top five players on the team, are currently undefeated.   

Bolton said Hoven does all of the mentoring with his teammates which is a big deal because it helps freshmae on the team help other freshmen.

"The guys that are playing well help work with those that aren't playing as well to build their game up," Bolton said.

Hoven, who started playing chess only two years ago, has competed in the United States Chess Federation.

Hoven's current rating stands at 917, junior Ethan Amaya 718, Adams 527, freshman Ian Amaya 478 and sophomore David Osorio 421.

A rating is typically determined by the accumulated points from either a win, loss or draw match that then raises or lowers the delta score.

Bolton said Ethan Amaya, who went 1-2 the last tournament, was feeling more pressure then and has been working with him to take his eyes off himself and focus on the other players.

"As a means to reinforce his own abilities there and his own match play, strategy and tactics," Bolton said.

Volunteer assistant coach, Jair Amaya, father of Ethan and Ian Amaya, said Friday's opening match is going to be solid because the team has been consistent so far this season.

"I would like to give other players that can be swapped the opportunity to be in varsity," Jair Amaya said on the team's strategy for the two-day tournament. "So they can have experience and put other players to rest." 

The Patriots are up for a challenge with their toughest opponent, the Brophy Broncos.

Among the Broncos' top three players, Dave Mohan, the top player among 20 schools, has a rating of 1,422, Daniel Noon 967 and Mason Miller 946.

All three players have played in the USCF.