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.
-
Henry Co judge orders HVAC contractor to pay victims $10K or face jail time
A judge has ordered an HVAC contractor to pay back every penny he stole from a Henry County couple in October 2024.
Lawmakers introduce child safety bills after Hailey Buzbee's death
Indiana lawmakers are working to pass legislation that would expand law enforcement's ability to issue Amber Alerts, following the death of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee.
Plainfield Police Department temporarily closed due to plumbing issues
The Plainfield Police Department announced Monday that its administrative offices will be closed until further notice due to unexpected plumbing problems at the department's main building.
Tax season underway: Experts say preparation now can mean bigger refunds later
Tax season is officially underway, and experts say the biggest mistakes happen long before taxpayers ever hit submit.
