Pawns get political as lawmakers compete in congressional chess tournament

by Judy Kurtz - 05/08/24 1:52 PM ET

Greg Nash
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reacts to Grandmaster chess champion Maurice Ashley getting checkmate during the Congressional Chess Tournament in the Senate Russell Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, May 8, 2024

SPOTTED: Lawmakers putting the “checks” in checks and balances, going head-to-head in games of chess at the Capitol.

Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) hosted the bipartisan Congressional Chess Tournament on Wednesday. As part of the event at the Russell Senate Office building, members of Congress were invited to show off their best moves against chess students and members of Missouri’s Saint Louis Chess Club.

St. Louis was named the chess capital of the country by the Senate in 2014.

Among those seen either eyeing the action or strategizing with their king, queen and pawns: Senate Chaplain Barry Black, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.).

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the annual congressional chess competition.

Tags Barry Black Eric Burlison eric schmitt Maggie Hassan Ted Cruz