Photos: Sierra Chess Club
- Updated
Sierra 2-8 School in the Sunnyside Unified School District has Southern Arizona's largest chess club. School officials say that participating in chess not only helps children's brains engage but also provides a safe place for kids to be before and after school and during lunch.
A student gets ready to move his knight during a game as members of the chess club at Sierra 2-8 School, at 5801 S Del Moral, practice before school. They practice seven hours a week: before school, during lunch and at times, after school, said chess coach Wesley Yandell. The club is one of Southern Arizona's largest. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Fifth grader Yamilette Cruz, 10, left, makes a move against her opponent, sixth grader Emilio Puentes, 11, as members of the chess club at Sierra 2-8 School, at 5801 S Del Moral, practice before school. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Eighth-grader Hussein Tasir, 13, left, watches as Luis Hernandez, 13, makes his move during a chess match before class at Sierra 2-8 School. The school’s chess club takes part in tournaments and has been recognized by the Sunnyside school district.
- Photos by A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Zinedine Morales, 12, a seventh grader at Sierra 2-8 School, watches as his coach takes him to task during practice before the start of school. The students practice seven hours a week: before school, during lunch and at times, after school, said chess coach Wesley Yandell. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Eighth grader Luis Hernandez, 13, reacts after making a favorable move while he plays classmate Hussein Tasir, 13, as members of the chess club at Sierra 2-8 School, at 5801 S Del Moral, practice before the start of school. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Before school, eighth graders Sebastian Bueras, left, and Ryan Harper, both 13, play a chess match at Sierra 2-8 School, at 5801 S Del Moral. The club is one of Southern Arizona's largest. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
A student gets ready to move his knight during a game as members of the chess club at Sierra 2-8 School, at 5801 S Del Moral, practice before school. They practice seven hours a week: before school, during lunch and at times, after school, said chess coach Wesley Yandell. The club is one of Southern Arizona's largest. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Fifth grader Yamilette Cruz, 10, left, makes a move against her opponent, sixth grader Emilio Puentes, 11, as members of the chess club at Sierra 2-8 School, at 5801 S Del Moral, practice before school. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Zinedine Morales, 12, a seventh grader at Sierra 2-8 School, watches as his coach takes him to task during practice before the start of school. The students practice seven hours a week: before school, during lunch and at times, after school, said chess coach Wesley Yandell. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Eighth grader Luis Hernandez, 13, reacts after making a favorable move while he plays classmate Hussein Tasir, 13, as members of the chess club at Sierra 2-8 School, at 5801 S Del Moral, practice before the start of school. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Before school, eighth graders Sebastian Bueras, left, and Ryan Harper, both 13, play a chess match at Sierra 2-8 School, at 5801 S Del Moral. The club is one of Southern Arizona's largest. The photo was taken on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
As featured on
Club has over 30 members and feels like family, coach says.
Proposal would give them to state Board of Education.
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