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.
-
Student, parent say all-day school phone ban easier than it sounds
Clark-Bueckers matchup 2nd most-watched WNBA regular-season game on ABC or ESPN
The matchup between Indiana's Caitlin Clark and Dallas' Paige Bueckers on the WNBA's opening weekend averaged 2.49 million viewers on ABC.
Daly, Palou become 1st drivers to top 228 mph on 2nd day of Indy 500 practice
They were the only drivers to top 228, while Palou had the fastest trap speed of the day at 237.220.
IPS announces 2026 Summer Meal Service locations
Indianapolis Public Schools will start its Summer Meal Service program on June 1, offering up to two meals a day to children 18 or younger, regardless of whether or not they are enrolled in school.
