Granby Student Takes Top Honors in Chess Championship

Granby High School junior Yekaterina Lifshits won the Virginia Rated Girls’ title at the Virginia Queens’ State Championship on Saturday, March 3 at Norfolk State University. Yekaterina won a $1,000 scholarship provided by The Virginian-Pilot. The championship was hosted by N.I.C.E. (Norfolk Initiative for Chess Excellence) Chess and NSU, and sponsored by Pilot Media Companies, Carnegie Science Center, Wells Fargo and Navy Chess. Chess Grandmaster Susan Polgar, whose foundation is dedicated to promoting chess for young people - particularly girls - due to the game's educational and social benefits. Polgar traveled at her own expense to promote the event, including a group exhibition match at the Chrysler Museum of Art on Friday, March 2. A number of Norfolk Public Schools students participated on Friday and Saturday.

Want to get involved in the chess "revolution" overtaking Norfolk? N.I.C.E. hosts chess instruction and matches very Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. at the Lamberts Point Community Center, 1251 W. 42nd Street, Norfolk. Benefits for students include critical thinking skills, which can be applied to higher-level thinking for math and science. Participation is free for adults and children. Call (757) 423-1088 for more information.