Making the Right Move How Chess Changed Lunch at Greenup County High

Making the Right Move

How Chess Changed Lunch

at Greenup County High

Courtesy of Greenup County Schools

The Ashland Beacon

A surprising trend has taken over Greenup County High School during lunchtime this week, drawing crowds of students for an unexpected reason: a chess tournament. While many might assume students would spend their free time on their phones, the school library has instead become the center of excitement, competition, and connection.

This lunchtime chess phenomenon began when library staff member Mrs. Parker decided to open the library to students after they finished eating. With cell phones not permitted during lunch, she wanted to offer students a fun and productive alternative.

“Students aren’t allowed to have their cell phones out during lunch, so I thought—let’s give them something fun and productive to do,” Mrs. Parker explained. “They can just hang out, play games, read, or get on a computer.”

What started as a small gathering quickly grew. Students began filling the library, and before long, classic board games like Uno, Battleship, and chess surged in popularity. Chess, in particular, stood out.

“Chess became really popular,” Mrs. Parker said. “There would be a line of people, and you’d hear students calling ‘next’ to play.”

Seeing the growing interest, Mr. Plummer suggested organizing a tournament. The response was overwhelming. Sixty Greenup County High School students willingly chose to spend their lunch breaks sitting around tables, competing in a game that has been played for more than a thousand years. Many participants had never played chess before but learned along the way. Sixty doesn’t even include the number of students’ watching matches, playing other games, or simply enjoying the social atmosphere. “It’s like the happening place to be now,” Mrs. Parker said proudly.

Beyond being fun, board games like chess offer several healthy benefits for students. Chess is known to strengthen critical thinking, problem-solving skills, concentration, and memory. It encourages patience, strategic planning, and the ability to think ahead—skills that translate well into academics and everyday life. The game also teaches resilience, as players learn to accept losses, adapt strategies, and try again. Chess itself dates back over a thousand years, with origins believed to trace to ancient India, making it one of the oldest and most respected strategy games in the world.

Board games also create a unique social environment. Sitting across from someone at a game table naturally sparks conversation and cooperation, making it easier to meet people you might not otherwise socialize with. At Greenup County High School, students from different friend groups, grade levels, and interests have found common ground through chess and other games. These interactions help break down social barriers, build confidence, and encourage respect and understanding among peers—positive outcomes that extend well beyond the lunch period. “Oh yeah… socially… it’s really brought them out of their shell,” Parker shared.

Students agree. One participant shared, “It’s nice… people are actually talking to each other instead of being on their phones sitting right next to each other.” They added, “It’s good to realize you can still just talk to each other.”

In a technology-heavy world where meaningful interaction can be hard to come by, the lunchtime chess tournament at Greenup County High School has become a refreshing change. It is inspiring to see students building memories, sharpening their minds, and connecting face-to-face—thanks to the staff who helped make it all possible.