PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW

Zachary Whaley, a fifth grader at Floral Avenue Elementary School, shows the trophy he won Saturday at the finals of the Polk Scholastic Chess tournament. It was for finishing among the top 16 chess players in the elementary division.

PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW

FAther and son practice chess at the finals of the XXXX at the Church of the Nazarene Saturday, March 16.. Here Lincoln Avenue Elementary coach Ben Guzman, shows his son and team player Garbiel Guzman, a third-grader, a move.

PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW

Kristen Knowles, 7, unloads her bag as she begins play in the second round of the finals of the Polk Scholastic Chess tournament.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Bartow High School chess coach James Shuff (left) stands with his students on the stage at the Church of the Nazarene after they won first place. From left is Krishan Rajaratnar, Kevin Ren, Amol Patadia and Trevorn Hodge. This is the 14th consecutive year that Bartow High has won the team award. Other awards BHS won Saturday in the finals include Trevorn Hodge won first place in the championship division, Kevin Ren won second and Krishan Rajaratnar won fourth. In Section B, Simone Gable won second place. She also won a $300 scholarship and got an award for playing chess in the Polk Scholastic Chess for 13 years. Kevin Ren earned a $700 college scholarship Saturday. Ken Ren also earned an award for being the top player in the 12th grade, Krishan Rajaratnar won an award for being the top player 11th grade and Trevorn Hodge won an award for being the top player 10th grade.

PHOTO BY JEFF ROSLOW

Some of Union Academy's team, which finished second in Polk Scholastic Chess tournament Saturday proudly display the trophy that will be displayed at the school. From left is Sarika Chauhan, Christopher Collzao and Trevor Versweyveld.

PHOTO PROVIDED

Krishan Rajaratnar holds a trophy he won Saturday at the finals of the Polk Scholastic Chess tournament. Bartow High's team won the championship for the 14th consecutive year. He earned fourth place individually in the tournament and he won the award for being the top chess player in Polk County in the 11th grade.