Siblings Kelsey Shepherd, third grade, and Aiden Shepherd, fifth grade, play chess during chess club at Lincoln Elementary School.

WARSAW — Three chess teams from Lincoln Elementary School placed in regionals and are headed to the Scholastic Chess of Indiana Team State Finals on Saturday, March 25

Two teams consisting of third graders and under and a team in the sixth grade and under division from LES will head to Hammond to contend against other teams. In total, 44 teams will be competing in the sixth grade and under category and 55 teams will be competing in the third grade and under category.

This is parent volunteer Stephani Vinkemeier’s second year heading the chess club. She is excited and optimistic about the team’s performance at the state.

“Some of the kids are pretty competitive,” said Vinkemeier.

Since October, a number of kids at LES have been staying after school on Wednesdays to practice their chess playing skills.

Four teams, each comprised of four students, headed to Goshen in February to compete in regionals. Three of those teams qualified for the upcoming state championship.

To prepare for competitions, Vinkemeier says they run in-club tournaments. Students also get extra practice by playing on sites online.

The chess club at LES is a time not only for kids to hone their chess playing skills, but also to mix with other students they might not talk to as often. Fifth grader Aiden said he enjoys the club because he gets, “To meet new people.”