Chess prodigies show Congress some new tricks

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) cohosted the Bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament this week.

Eight students from the St. Louis Chess Club attended and got the opportunity to play lawmakers and their staff one-on-one.

St Louis was deemed the chess capital of the United States 10 years ago, that’s also when Congress held the first tournament.

This week marks only the second time the tournament was held on Capitol Hill.

Sen Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) cohosted, Sen Ted Cruz (R-Texas) played some games and Sen Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) dropped by to meet some of the players.

Grandmaster and chess hall of famer Maurice Ashely, a Brooklyn native, was there to share his expertise with the players.

“It’s really our duty to be able to pass the knowledge on to the next generation,” said Ashley.

Amir Brown, an 11th grade participant, says he was introduced to chess a year ago when a teacher brought a board into the cafeteria. He calls the tournament an “amazing opportunity.”

“I feel amazing, I feel grateful, I never thought that I’d ever meet any of the congressman, any of the senators,” said Brown.

Devanshi Chowdada, a 7th grader, is a self-taught player. She says her mission is to inspire more girls to try chess and outplay boys who try to count her out.

“If you win against them and they say something on you, that’s just because they were not able to handle the fact that they lost against girl,” said Chowdada.

Schmitt says he hopes the event showcases Missouri’s best and encourages more kids to learn the game of chess.

“There’s a lot of studies out there that kids that know how to play chess, they have more confidence in their ability to solve problems, so it’s a great game to promote,” said Schmitt.

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