‘Chess Is Cool’: Virginia Teacher Builds Chess Movement That Is Creating Players, Coaches and Leaders

Alexander Morton, a teacher at Louisa County High School, has helped make chess a growing part of student life through clubs, camps and tournaments.

His message to students is simple.

“Chess is cool.”

And judging by the response from his students, they are listening.

Chess is taking off in the classroom

Morton teaches personal finance at Louisa County High School, but chess has become another important part of his work with students.

During designated club days, students gather around the boards while Morton helps them understand the strategic decisions developing in front of them.

That includes learning how to develop pieces, control the centre and identify potential targets.

But Morton believes the benefits extend well beyond the 64 squares of a chessboard.

Chess can help students develop problem-solving, time-management and face-to-face communication skills — abilities that can be useful long after the game is over.

Senior Leo Richardson said chess can initially look intimidating, but the game becomes much easier once players understand the fundamentals.

“Once you know how the pieces move, it gets easier,” Richardson said.

‘I don’t have to motivate kids to play’

One of the most encouraging parts of Morton's work is that students appear to be discovering chess for themselves.

“I don’t have to motivate kids to play,” Morton said. “It’s just, ‘Hey, it looks like that’s fun. I want to play.’”

That enthusiasm has helped Morton take his work beyond the walls of Louisa County High School.

He founded Chess Knights Enrichment Circle, a regional initiative designed to connect young players with chess camps and tournaments.

The goal is not simply to produce better players.

It is to create an environment where young people can eventually help grow the game themselves.

Students are becoming coaches and tournament directors

That next step is already happening.

Morton is preparing some of his students to become coaches and tournament directors, giving them opportunities to take on responsibilities beyond simply playing.

One example is a sophomore whom Morton coached during the summer.

She initially helped him as a chess assistant but has now become a certified chess coach and tournament director.

For Morton, that represents exactly the kind of cycle he wants to create.

Young players learn the game.

They compete.

Then they return to help the next generation discover chess.

Building something that can last

Morton's ambitions stretch beyond individual tournaments or school club sessions.

He wants students to compete, teach others and help establish a lasting chess community across the region.

That makes the project bigger than simply introducing children to a board game.

It creates a potential pathway from beginner to player, from player to coach and eventually from coach to someone capable of organising competitions and bringing even more young people into the sport.

For students such as Richardson, the attraction remains straightforward.

Chess is challenging, social and rewarding — and once the basics are understood, the game becomes far less intimidating.

Morton's work is helping make sure more young players get the chance to discover that for themselves.

And his message remains unchanged:

“Chess is cool.”