This week, the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championship of chess takes place in Seattle — and Webster University will be vying for yet another win. The team has won eight of the last ten national tournaments.
Liem Le, a former professional chess player and Webster's current head Chess coach, told KMOX why St. Louis has become such a chess hub, noting figures like chess grandmaster Susan Polgar being part of Webster's chess program.
"I think the fact that we have such a strong team, a very diverse team, with people from all over the world, that's a really big plus for the future students to come," Le said. "And then understand that when they come here, not only they have an opportunity to get an education, better quality education, but also a chance to work with the very top chess players to improve their chess skills."
Le said one of the reasons chess is so popular among students is that it can help improve their performance and develop their minds. But it's not just college kids who reap the benefits of the game.
"Chess is a game for everyone. Doesn't matter how old you are, doesn't matter what your background, everyone can play chess, they can share the same joy for the game," he said. "It's a game of strategy. It stimulates the mind, requires the use of logic and predictive abilities. So it helps everyone."
Le is also a graduate of Webster and a former chess team member. He said that because of the team's reputation, they don't have to do much scouting for members — people usually come to them.
"Webster University is well known all over the world as the top collegiate chess program," he said. "So I get asked by students all over the world, almost every week, every month, how can they come to Webster University."
Hear more from Liem Le on Webster heading to the pan-American Intercollegiate Team Championship this week:
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