INDIANAPOLIS — Chess is a hard game of patience and strategy, but hundreds of Indianapolis Public Schools students proved they were up for the challenge.
IPS hosted its 3rd annual district-wide chess tournament at Northwest Middle School on Tuesday. More than 200 students from kindergarten to high school participated, where they competed in teams representing their schools and in groups based on their grade.
The competition has grown from its first iteration in 2022, when only 70 students participated.
This year's field included Michael Akinseye, an eighth-grader at Northwest Middle School.
"It's a skill not everyone knows, and it's special to me," Akinseye said. "It's a little nerve-racking not knowing what the other players could do, but I just know what I can do, and I do my best."
Akinseye said he was inspired to join his school's chess club after a chess grandmaster visited his class in sixth grade. He is now excited for every chance he has to compete.
"A couple moves before you get a checkmate, you know you're going to get a checkmate," Akinseye said. "It's like, I finally got what I wanted."
IPS is planning to bring back the chess tournament for another run next year.
-
The Final Four is set as UConn stuns Duke to join Illinois, Arizona and Michigan
We are down to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Illinois, UConn, Arizona and Michigan will face off in Indianapolis next weekend.
Pascal Siakam scores 30 points to give Pacers 135-118 victory
ascal Siakam scored 30 points and Micah Potter added 21 and tied a career high with five 3-pointers to help the Indiana Pacers get past the Miami Heat for a rare victory, 135-118 on Sunday.
Franciscan Health to host Produce Prescription Program
Franciscan Health and Indy Hunger Network have teamed up to offer the Produce Prescription Program, a six-week program focused on healthy eating options, nutrition education and support.
Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on northeast side
Residents in one northeast side neighborhood are sharing their concerns following a shooting near a playground that left one young male dead.
