Norfolk students learn hip-hop chess

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Teens at Lake Taylor High School are moving to a hip-hop beat, but it's not at a school dance.

They teens are competing in hip-hop chess. It's a new initiative from the Norfolk Police Department, designed to help youth make good life decisions.

"Besides being positive interaction between the police department and high school kids," said Sargeant Robert Fields of the Norfolk Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit, "It gives them a chance to teach them necessary strategies as far as looking before you leap, I mean, thinking two moves ahead."

"Chess is a very safe way to learn cause and effect for your actions." Lisa Suhay of the Norfolk Chess Federation says, "In fact, I've worked with a lot of students who find that they have a lot better judgement after they've been playing chess for a while."

Tevin Fitchett spent this past fall playing offensive tackle for the Lake Taylor football team. He's spending some time this spring playing chess. He finds it great way to 'stimulate your mind'.

Senior Earl Willey agrees, saying, "The more you play, the better it is and you'll like it."

The weekly games have gone on for three weeks and will continue for a few more. The program will soon be offered across the city.

And it is proving very popular. There is more interest at Lake Taylor than expected so they have had to bring in more chess boards to meet demand.

As Lisa Suhay mentioned, "This is not like a church chess environment. This is chess with a soundtrack."