Like many other nations in the world, American schools help prepare students for the future by teaching them math, English, science, history, art, foreign language, and physical education.

That's a good variety of subjects, but there's something that seems missing, something to get away from the often stifling formality of academics.

It was 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and the chess team and I had just obtained our second-place trophy at the West Chicago Open Team Tournament. We were ready to leave and begin our three-hour drive from Chicago back to Champaign. However, the moment we exited the building, we were immediately struck by a huge gust of wind, and we saw that the landscape was covered in a layer of white.

Last night, I attended Uni’s fall athletic awards ceremony, which honored the cross country, soccer, swimming, and volleyball teams. A lot of honor and recognition was shown to these sports, congratulating the teams for their excellent seasons and performances. But how come chess isn’t recognized as much as these sports?

Imagine two opposing sides locked in a battle of epic proportions. Both sides are working for an advantage, giving a valiant effort to win the battle. Sacrifices must be made in the name of forward progress. In the end, they were but pawns in the greater picture of the battle.

Is this some far-off war being fought? No. This is my interpretation of the cut-throat world of chess.

If I ever played Garry Kasparov in 100 games of chess, I would in all likelihood end up with 100 losses.