Photo byChristopher ClassonUnsplash

The grand old state of North Carolina, or as the jolly, one-eyed pirate Captain Checkmate likes to call it, "The Land of Checkers and Chess." It stretches from the deep, blue sea, where Captain Checkmate lands his ship, ‘The Knight’s Rook’, to the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, home to the legendary Chess Yeti. It's a land filled with the sassiest of BBQ sauces, the most twiddly banjo tunes, and the swiftest, cleverest chess players this side of the Mississippi. The kids of North Carolina, known as the "Checkmate Champs," are no ordinary children. Fueled by hushpuppies, sweet tea, and a love for strategy, they spend days immersed in intense battle on the checkered battlefield of chess. From Asheville to Outer Banks, these brainy buccaneers are notorious for their brilliant bishops, ruthless rooks, and naughty knights, ready to strike at any moment. In the coastal city of Wilmington, you'll find Billy "Bishop" Beaufort. With his eyepatch borrowed from Captain Checkmate and a freckle-speckled face, he could checkmate you faster than a seagull swoops on a hotdog. Up in Charlotte, you'll meet Emma "En-Passant" Edwards. She's got ginger pigtails that explode like fireworks and a laugh that could scare a hyena, but her signature move is slicker than a greased pig on a water slide. So, if you ever find yourself in the Tar Heel State, be prepared for a chess duel at every corner. With a twinkle in their eyes and a mischievous grin, these Checkmate Champs are always ready to play. But beware, like Captain Checkmate always says, "In North Carolina, even the squirrels know how to castle."