April 14, several area elementary students participated in a chess tournament at the Albert Lea Family Y. Hosted by the Lakeview Elementary School club, it was attended by elementary students in Albert Lea and Austin. Students had a great time, with opportunities to play several tournament games as well as individual games between matches. The afternoon ended with the winners from the four brackets playing one another, and Jake Ware, fifth-grader from Lakeview, emerging as the overall winner.

This was the Albert Lea School District’s first year with organized chess clubs, with programming facilitated by the district’s Gifted and Talent Development program in concert with the after-school enrichment programs.

The elementary schools, middle school and high school maintained clubs at their locations. Community volunteers and school staff members coached the clubs, with meetings being held once or twice weekly, from January through April. More than 60 students participated across the district.

Chess clubs will continue next school year. If you are interested in coaching a team, please contact Sonya Zieske, 507-379-5153, or szieske@albertlea.k12.mn.us.