The Bright Minds RVA Chess Classes and Tournament for Richmond area teens will take place Aug. 7 through 17 at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 W. Leigh St.

The classes, Monday through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., seek to teach students of all experience levels the fundamentals of chess as they participate in classes and a friendly competition tournament. The deadline to enroll is July 28.

Created in 2020 and officially launched in 2021, Bright Minds RVA was formed by Bernice Travers, president of the Bernice E. Travers Foundation, and Fleming E. Samuels, a former Richmond Public Schools administrator and creator of multiple chess clubs for local schools.

Mr. Samuels will be the instructor during the two-week training in which participants, ages 14 to 16, will be placed in beginner, intermediate and advanced sections based on their experience. Participants will be trained to compete in the RVA City-Wide Scholastic Chess Tournament in which cash prizes and trophies will be presented, according to the event organizers.

Classes will culminate in a tournament that will award first, second and third place finishers with monetary prizes and trophies for each section. At the end of the two-week period a ceremony and reception will celebrate the achievements of each student.

All classes are free and open to enrolled public school students. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

For more information, please call (804) 814-4434 or email brightmindschessclub@gmail.