Even after sweeping a recent chess tournament at Worland Middle School, kings, queens, bishops, knights, castles and pawns occupy the thoughts of two Powell Middle School students.

Sixth grade student Hayden Peters placed first while his schoolmate Onyx Miller trailed closely behind him. The two Powell students have only been playing for a year and had never attended a chess tournament.

Peters said Miller was his toughest opponent of the multi-school tournament because he “kept attacking my pieces over and over again.” Peters had to work to move his pieces backward while maintaining the best position possible.

Miller and Peters have similar philosophies on chess but different approaches. For Miller a game is won by quickly developing his pieces and attacking. Peters also believes that development needs to happen quickly, but he takes a more scholarly approach, researching openings and moves beforehand that he can quickly rattle off and deploy. He’s fond of e4 openings he says confidently, he also likes the Reti opening. 

“I just want to keep competing against people that are better than me and just keep moving up,” Peters said. 

Miller and Peters have both caught wind of a tournament in Cody this summer that they plan on attending. Both students are also interested in the creation of a chess club or Powell Middle School tournament. 

Miller added that his dad has been in talks with assistant principal Chanler Buck who is open to the idea of a school tournament.

Miller and Peters could use the competition, at home they consistently beat their parents. Peters usually beats his parents with most of his pieces intact,” he said confidently. 

“I just kind of want a chess club here because I have a bunch of friends who want a chess club here,” Peter said.