Press: Knoxville preschoolers compete in chess tournament

Source: ABC6KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - Preschoolers in Knoxville are now mastering the art of chess.The Goddard School in Knoxville held a chess tournament on Friday morning, part of the school's curriculum called "Chess at 3." Students start learning the game at 2 and a half through a fairy tale.

Friday morning, the two top players from the older classes went head-to-head."Chess is so important for children," said Tonya Ray, the director of The Goddard School. "The first five years of life are huge in a child's development and a child's development. So with this "Chess at 3" [program], they are learning problem-solving skills, early literacy skills, they're learning pre-math skills."Cam and Lily were the top two chess players from the tournament. Cam took home his own chess board and Lily won a new trophy.