Cook County Jails chess program and its flagship Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners takes center stage Many talented street chess players learned how to play the game in jail or in prison From trashtalking to chess tattoos this group of players has taken the game to the next level

Follow the eclectic group of street chess players found in New York City to learn how their paths are entwined with the beating heart of the city Whether youre on the street in a bar or at the park theres always room for chess players Youve got the hustlers the old timers the beginners and anyone willing to learn the game Everyones got a place in New York

Take an engaging look at New Orleans a city with a long history of chess players On any given day you can find National Master Jude Acers with his red beret in the French Quarter If you talk to any chess player in Louisiana Judes name will likely pop up Hes a fascinating character on his own but once you get to know him and the community that hes built he will become a lifelong friend

Chess is big in Houston specifically at the 3rd Ward Chess Park Despite its grim history with redlining and ongoing gentrification these shade tree players have turned a vacant lot into a thriving chess park where smiles food and an abundance of trashtalking can be found This chess community is a family that is resilient to adversity

Born and raised in Compton a Los Angeles neighborhood Damen Fletcher grew up surrounded by gangs and violence But he was able to find solace through learning chess Damen dedicated his life to bringing chess to those who could benefit from learning it by founding the Train of Thought Chess Education Program a scholastic chess program that brings chess to young students all over Los Angeles