Homeschool Girls Win 3rd Straight Nevada Chess Championship

Four homeschooled girls from a small mountain town just proved that dedication and teamwork can beat the odds three years running.

Kora Ostertag (12), Acadia Holve (14), Alora Holve (12), and Allisyn Flower (12) took home the Nevada State Girls Scholastic Chess Championship trophy this month. They competed against chess players from every public and private school across Nevada, kindergarten through 12th grade.

The path to victory started at the Northern Nevada Girls Scholastic Chess Championship. Kora won first place individually, while Acadia took second and her sister Alora claimed third. Those wins qualified them for the state championship, where they dominated both as individuals and as a team.

Kora faced her toughest challenge yet this year. She moved up from competing against elementary students to playing against kids through 12th grade, including players with years more experience. She still won the Individual State Championship.

The team's success comes from serious preparation and two dedicated coaches. Eric Ostertag, Kora's father, coaches all four girls and serves on the Silver State Chess Association board. Annastasia Wyzywany has trained three of the girls over several years, helping newest member Allisyn learn advanced tactics.

"It helped me learn actual tactics because before, I didn't really use any tactics," Allisyn said about her coaching sessions. The work paid off when it mattered most.

Why This Inspires

Most chess players compete alone, but these girls found something special in teamwork. "Chess is often a solitary sport, so when you can win with a team, it's something that feels entirely different," Acadia explained.

Alora agrees the team element pushes her harder. "If you let yourself down, you're letting your whole team down. It gives you more motivation, which I actually really appreciate."

The girls compete in tournaments that last for hours, requiring intense focus and stamina. Between practice sessions, they pursue other passions. Kora rides horses, Allisyn creates art, Acadia works on her new podcast, and both Holve sisters play piano.

Their coach Eric made another impact beyond training his team. He helped reorganize the state's qualifier system so Northern Nevada kids don't have to travel hundreds of miles to Las Vegas for every tournament. Now both regions host local competitions, opening doors for more young players.

The four champions already have their eyes on the next challenge, knowing their opponents will come back stronger and more prepared.