My favorite piece is the bishop

Chess contest sponsored by school draws hundreds
March 21, 2008
By Janna Odenthal
Post-Tribune correspondent

PORTAGE — While adults discussed the presidential races, children at the Portage Yacht Club recently focused on kings, queens and other members of royalty.

Children and teens from Indiana, Illinois and Michigan competed for trophies during the second annual Spring Scholastic Chess Tournament sponsored by a Hobart school, Montessori Academy in the Oaks.

More than 200 players faced opponents for three to five rounds. The unrated division paired competitors by age groups, while the rated division grouped kindergarten through high school students by rank.

Chesterton Middle School student Alec Haines said he’s been playing chess ever since he could remember the moves of each piece.

“I’ve been practicing each day,” he said. “It’s a good way to spend time. My favorite piece is the bishop. I can use it the best.”

…”It’s very enriching; it’s kind of an extracurricular activity that we encourage parents to become involved in because chess helps in many different ways,” Willoughby said. “You have to think strategy, contemplate all the options. It adapts into their academic work as well as life. It helps in all of that.”

Here is the full article.