What's holding Minnesota kids' attention these days? Chess. startribune.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from startribune.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The volunteers tried to shush the students huddled over chess boards recently in a Minneapolis middle school gym. But the enthusiastic chatter of more than 200 young chess players plotting their moves won out — and that was just fine. "It's so fun to see them get into it," said Janae Krantz-Odendahl, a student engagement program coordinator for Minneapolis Public Schools, which put on the free .