Before the first bell rings each Tuesday morning, about 20 students gather, not for extra credit or tutoring, but to challenge themselves — and each other — on the chessboard. 

In its first year, Granite Elementary’s chess club has quickly become more than just a game. It’s a place where thinking is sharpened, friendships are built and a connection for the school community deepens each week.

“I was working with the chess club at Brookwood Elementary School, where my oldest son went to school,” said parent volunteer Jacob Jensen, who now leads Granite’s club. “It was actually Lucas, my fourth grader with autism, who said, ‘I want you to come teach chess at my school.’”

His simple request sparked something special at Granite. Lucas is part of the school’s special needs inclusion program — one of the key reasons his family chose Granite for their daughter, Sophia, as well.

“We gave her the choice: go to Brookwood, one street away, or ride the bus with Lucas. She chose Granite,” he said.

Jensen, a lifelong chess player who once considered becoming a chess master before law school, worked with administration to launch the club, submitting a $500 proposal to purchase boards and materials. The result: a weekly club where students from all backgrounds and abilities come together to learn and grow.

Each meeting includes a short lesson on strategy or rules — castling, checkmate defenses, piece movement — followed by matches and a chess puzzle challenge. Players earn points using a system designed to reward persistence as much as skill.

“If you win a game, you get three points. A draw gets you two, and even a loss earns one. Someone who loses four games could still rank higher than someone who wins once but doesn’t come back,” he said. “One of the things about chess is that you're going to lose games. But every game is a chance to learn — whether you win or lose, you're progressing.”

It’s not just about the competition, either. Each match starts and ends with a handshake. 

“Even if there are tears, you shake hands and say, ‘good game.’ Then we go back to the drawing board to see what we can learn from this,” Jensen said.

For many families, Granite’s inclusive and welcoming environment is the reason they love their school. 

“That’s probably my favorite thing about Granite — the way they include the kids. They’re not just helping Lucas, they’re his buddies,” he said.

Lucas helps set up boards and plays occasionally, even if his moves aren’t always legal. 

“The other kids will say, ‘Hey Lucas, come play me.’ They help him correct his moves. They understand the game well enough to teach him — and they’re wanting to include him,” Jensen said.

That sense of belonging extends to Sophia, now a first grader, who took ninth place in last year’s kindergarten state chess tournament. 

“She and Lucas see everyone as friends — and they are,” Jensen said.

He hopes to host their own school tournament in March to build excitement before the state tournament.

Jensen’s long-term vision includes teaching notation and introducing chess clocks. 

“It’s not required at the elementary level, but I want them to learn. I want them to be able to learn the proper notation, know the appropriate moves and use the clock to be able to compete locally, statewide or nationally if they want,” he said.

But even more than tournaments, Jensen sees chess as a way to build skills beyond the board.

“Chess helps with memory, concentration, problem-solving and creativity. It teaches patience, discipline and sportsmanship,” he said.

Jensen encourages his own children to play chess, alongside participating in sports, playing music and learning a language. 

“I think it develops your brain and helps you think critically,” he said.

Resilience is another key lesson he wants students to learn.

“You can be losing all your pieces and have one piece left besides the king, and you can still checkmate your opponent,” Jensen said. “They look at chess and say it’s hard, but life is hard. Even if you make a mistake, you keep going. I try to teach them to think ahead, learn from mistakes and keep moving forward.”