In collaboration with the St. Louis Chess Club, the WashU Chess Club hosted the WashU Rapid and Blitz tournaments on Feb. 8. Open to the entire St. Louis community, the two tournaments were official United States Chess Federation (USCF)-rated tournaments. Over 100 players of all ages competed for part of the $1000 prize pool.

Two freshmen currently hold elite rankings in chess: FIDE Master and National Master Vincent Tsay and Candidate Master Alec Beck. Having grown up around chess, they both had their share of structured training and tournament-hopping and have found meaning in the classic, universally loved strategy game. Their newest plan of action: adjusting to college life at Washington University.