Wasco Tribune - Serving the community since 1970

Palm Avenue Middle School completed its third annual chess tournament. There were 16 participants ranging from sixth to eighth grade.

Toni DeRosa | Wasco Tribune

Both boys and girls were interested in competing in the tournament.

Students wore masks and practiced sanitation and safe distance practices to insure the safety of all contestants.

"Many of the students had been practicing for competition like this before," instructor Marcus Ballard said. "I've never seen a competition like this before as all of the participants had the ability to win the entire tournament."

"Although chess has been around for many years, students still love the challenge that the game presents," he said. "Chess is a great game for teaching and practicing 21st Century skills."

Ballard said the first place winner was sixth grader Estevan Acosta and the second place winner was sixth grader Leonuel Diaz.