PHOTOS: Inaugural HBCU Chess Classic

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PHOTOS: Inaugural HBCU Chess Classic

HBCU students gathered at Morris Brown College to compete in the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic.

The first HBCU Chess Classic is held at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman, other historically black colleges and universities, as well as younger students, including 8-year-old Noah King of Fairburn, who played chess in the hallways while the tournament was going on. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The first HBCU Chess Classic is held at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman and other historically black colleges and universities; as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Shaniah Francis of Spelman College looks to make her next move during the first round of the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman and other historically black colleges and universities. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The first HBCU Chess Classic is held at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman, other historically black colleges and universities, as well as younger students, including 8-year-old Noah King of Fairburn, who played chess in the hallways while the tournament was going on. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Iyanla Maxwell Savage takes a moment to check her move before letting go during the first round of the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman and other historically black colleges and universities. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Syrr Gordon, a Howard University student, waits for his next move as Jamila Am Thompson moves her pawn during the first round of the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Spelman and other historically black colleges and universities. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Syrr Gordon, a Howard University student, waits for his next move during the first round of the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Spelman and other historically black colleges and universities. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The first HBCU Chess Classic is held at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Jamila Am Thompson moves her pawn during the first round of the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Spelman and other historically black colleges and universities. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Jasmyne Brown, front right, and Samir Acharya compete in the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Spelman and other historically black colleges and universities. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The first HBCU Chess Classic is held at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Joseph Downs competes in the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Said Mohamed, left, and Jalen Washington compete in the first HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The first HBCU Chess Classic is held at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Xavier McCarthy, left, looks to make a move while Lloyd Davis, right, waited for his turn during the first HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Matthew Rhone competes in the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Chess Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, standing, kicks off the first HBCU Chess Classic at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. After shaking hands he started the first chess clock of the tournament beginning round one of five rounds of play. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Dr. Kevin James, President of Morris Brown College, attends the inaugural HBCU Chess Classic hosted at his school, Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Spelman and other historically black colleges and universities. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The first HBCU Chess Classic is held at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman as well as younger students and supporters who also played chess in the hallways. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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The first HBCU Chess Classic is held at Morris Brown College on Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tournament brought together students from Morehouse, Howard University, Spelman, other historically black colleges and universities, as well as younger students, including 8-year-old Noah King of Fairburn, who played chess in the hallways while the tournament was going on. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

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