A large banner signalling the championship is hanging in front of the elementary school for the second year in a row. The chess team won the state championship for the K-5 division.

The Detroit City Chess Club won the 2020 Regional Queen City Chess Classic Tournament in Cincinnati, Ohio

For the past 16 years, children in the city have come to this space to be introduced to this age-old game. But it’s much more than just a game.

Charisse’s plan now is to become the first African American woman to become a national master, a ranking given by the International Chess Federation based on a player’s competitive record.