With brows knotted in concentration, elementary school students from around Santa Rosa take part in the inaugural all-district chess tournament Friday at Helen Lehman School.

John Burgess/PD
By KERRY BENEFIELD
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Friday, January 30, 2009 at 3:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:24 p.m.

More than 50 kids from eight Santa Rosa elementary schools went rook to rook, queen to queen Friday at the first ever all-district chess tournament.

The play of Diego Avalos was singled out — the Helen Lehman student on two occasions checkmated his opponent in just four moves.

Teachers touted the six-week after-school program, taught by the nonprofit Chess for Kids, as a way to promote problem solving, strategy, etiquette and discipline. The program was sponsored by the district Gifted and Talented Education program.  Continue Reading….