Kindergarten through 12th grade students aiming for check mate faced off at the University of Virginia Saturday.
The students played five rounds of chess at a tournament hosted by the Virginia Chess Club and the Playing ACES Chess Club. Organizers say the game builds players' critical thinking and planning skills.
High school champion Justin Torres said, "Chess is important to me, critical thinking, thinking through it, and analyzing and it really does help the brain. I'm able to use it in other areas - analyze other things like politics."
Many of the club members volunteering Saturday also teach chess after school in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Click here to find out more about afterschool chess programs.
