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.
-
New legal prep charter school to open in Indianapolis this August
The free, public college-prep school will serve grades 6–12 and combine rigorous academics with real-world legal experiences, school leaders said.
Caitlin Clark ruled out for Saturday's game against the Sparks
Fever head coach Stephanie White said on Friday that Clark will not play in the Fever's game against the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday.
Body of Indianapolis man found in retention pond after canoe overturns
Indiana conservation officers are searching for a 54-year-old man who went missing after his canoe capsized in a northwest side retention pond on Thursday.
July 1 is almost here — Here are the Indiana laws going into effect
July 1 marks more than just the start of a new month for Hoosiers — it's the day a series of new state laws officially go into effect. Here's a look at what's changing.
