The Cornerstone Nevada Chess Club was formed in 2008 with primary students simply learning to play a game. In 2009 a competitive team of serious chess players emerged from the club. Coach Chevelle Downs started as a parent volunteer, teaching very young Cornerstone children the game of chess.  She now heads up a club and a competitive team of more than forty children in nearly every grade.

The benefits of chess reach far and wide. Students learn and develop scholastic abilities, including progressive and analytical thinking, cognitive skills, problem solving, and pattern recognition. Improvement in science, math, reading and standard testing has been widely documented. The special thing about the Cornerstone chess players is that they are “Focused on the King” They have adopted this motto to remind themselves that winning the opponent’s King is victory, but wining the heart of our King is the greatest victory of all. They do this by including the teachings of Jesus on the chess board and off. Integrity and great sportsmanship are the cornerstones of the team. 

Cornerstone Nevada Chess Team has amassed many trophies since its inception. In 2011, the team earned first place trophies in both the Elementary City and Elementary State competitions. In addition to numerous other team trophies, including national titles, these students have earned individual awards and trophies in local, state and national tournaments.

This game teaches one to “think it through.” The students of the chess team learn to think through the next chess move, the next mathematical equation and, who knows, maybe the next cure.