SUNRISE, Fla. — Dozens of young chess players packed into the Sunrise Multipurpose Center early Saturday for the 12th annual “Mayor’s Chess Challenge.”

The annual event, hosted by the city of Sunrise, brought together children of all ages for a morning of competition, strategy and learning.

Organizers say the tournament continues to grow each year, drawing young players eager to test their skills across the chessboard.

“The kids who learn how to play chess develop confidence, they develop their own smarts, they begin to look at life a few steps ahead,” said mayor of Sunrise Michael Ryan. “And so for us this is a youth development program that our city commission and our city has been behind from the beginning.”

The Mayor’s Chess Challenge gives children an opportunity to put those skills into practice while connecting with other young players in the community.

And for many of the participants, the early morning start was well worth it for a chance to make their next move.

Young players compete and learn at Sunrise mayor’s Chess Challenge

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