While we may be used to the spectator sports of Bloomsday, Hoopfest or Gonzaga basketball, the halls of the Spokane Convention Center are giving way this weekend to something a little less… loud.
The US Chess Federation is hosting the 2025 K-12 National Chess Championship in the Lilac City.
More than 1300 kids from across the country convene on the Convention Center for a crack at the title of champion, a really big trophy and bragging rights.
“(I’m) Top 20 in the USA for 2nd graders,” Vivaan Sankrithi says, sitting down to a friendly match with me Friday morning.
‘Vivi” as everyone calls him, is currently rated at 1500 in the chess world.
“I want to get to FIDE Master in 3 years and that’s 2300,” he said.
So he’s only 800 away. How hard can that be?
“It’s super hard,” he replied smiling.
While it sounds like fun and games, the tournament is a major deal for the kids and they take it very seriously. When they’re not in the hall intensely competing with other players, they’re most likely in what’s known as the Skittles Room playing exhibition games or going over their previous games in preparation for the next match.
Some kids in the Skittles Room on Friday morning were scattered at a horseshoe table playing a ‘Simul” game against National Masters or Grand Masters.
Marketing and Communications Manager Bryan Tillis, who is rated as a National Master, spent his morning playing against 16 other kids at the simul table, going from board to board coaching them up or in some cases just talking a little friendly trash.
Back in our game, Vivi the 2nd grader tried his best to not humiliate me too much.
“You’re probably losing, but you aren’t doing terrible,” he says.
I know he’s just being kind.
His aspirations go beyond chess. He wants to be an inventor or a builder when he grows up. But for now, his focus is on the game he loves and the joy it brings him.
“I’ve got probably over 300 friends from chess,” he says. “This is one of the biggest tournaments in the world (and) I have over 100 friends coming.”
“Right now we have about 110,000 members in the US Chess Federation,” US Chess Executive Director Franc Guadalupe said.
Those interested in joining simply have to visit the US Chess Federation’s website and become a member.
While I do have quite the streak going on Duolingo’s Chess Programs, Vivi isn’t impressed.
“Duolingo chess is not strong,” he smirks.
He’s not intimidated.
For two or three minutes (less than a minute in actual play time), Vivi toys with me like a cat toying with a field mouse, waiting for his moment to put me out of my misery.
He could end it anytime he wants to, but you can tell he’s a kind kid who enjoys the game of chess and doesn’t want me to feel too bad.
Finally… “Checkmate,” he says.
I’m stunned. Not that I lost. That was expected. I just thought I’d last a little longer against a 2nd grader.
He offers a hand shake and a smile.
“Another one?” he offers.
How can I say no? I’m hooked on the game of chess.
I may want to dive a little deeper into the book Vivi co-wrote, which offers an introduction into the game for those who are looking to get into it.
The US Chess Federation’s 2025 K-12 National Chess Championship runs through the weekend. Spectators (not even parents) aren’t allowed in the game room, but chess enthusiasts can stop by the Skitttles Room and take a look around. You can also check out some of the matches streaming HERE.
