Franklin students compete in school chess tournament

The popularity of chess has grown so much at Franklin Elementary School that more than 30 students recently competed in a school chess tournament.

The students are being instructed by Grigoriy Kapranov, a Russian chess master who is also a visiting professor this year at Southeast Missouri State University.

The students range in age from second to fourth grade, and have been quick to pick up on the skills of the game, Kapranov said.

"They're getting better at chess," he said.

When the students play one another, bystanders will walk over to see what's happening and to offer advice on what move to make next, he said.

Though the students don't all understand strategy, they play enthusiastically.

Some students from other schools in Cape Girardeau also came to see the chess tournament. Alex Craiglow, who attends the middle school, and Vladimir Georgiev, who attends Alma Schrader, came to the tournament.

Students who competed in the recent tournament were William Gonzales, Frances Van Meter, Kyle Richards, Nathan Fridley, Alex and Eric Craiglow, Trea Forbs, Coty Overbey, Nicholas Smentkowski and Georgiev.

Principal Rhonda Dunham awarded certificates to tournament winners.

All the students are expecting to compete in an open championship tournament at the school after the holiday break.

"Who knows, maybe a famous chess master is among these young chess players," Kapranov said.