CABOT, Ark. – Cabot students put their skills to the test Wednesday morning, taking to the board in the spring Cabot Clash district chess tournament.
This is the second year for the competition with a showdown held once a semester in both the fall and spring.
Students in grades 2 through 12 came together to checkmate their way to victory, competing to represent the school district in regional and state tournaments.
Assistant superintendent Aaron Randolph said it’s more than just a game but also a way to encourage problem-solving and planning.
“Really, it helps students think about not only what they’re doing right now, but they have to think three, four, five steps down the road,” Randolph explained. “It really helps them in terms of that critical thinking, they’re not only thinking about what they have to do, they’re also trying to think about what their competitor is doing.”
More than 100 kids took part in this spring’s tournament and Randolph says interest increases every time they hold a match.