A new chess club at Pleasant View Elementary School is helping students develop critical thinking skills.

Joseph Russell, a third-grade teacher at the campus, is sponsoring the program for students in grades 2-5, with the club meeting regularly after school.

Academic research consistently shows the benefits of youngsters learning to play chess.  Through the board game, students cultivate logic and reasoning, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills while also improving memory, concentration and even test scores.

Photos by Kristen Jenkins/Pleasant View Elementary School