Fifth-grader Owen Johnston considers his options during a game of chess Thursday at Greenmont Elementary School. Students in Kevin Mace’s STEAM class learned how to play chess this past week in recognition of National Chess Week. (Photo Provides)

VIENNA — Greenmont Elementary School students have been learning some of the oldest moves in history as part of a week-long lesson on the game of chess.

Teacher Kevin Mace spent the past week teaching his STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) classes how to play the classic game in honor of National Chess Week.

“The kids are enjoying it and even the younger ones have picked it up quickly,” he said. “In addition to having physical chess boards and pieces, I also create a chesskid.com account for them and they are able to play students from around the globe and against the computer. This way they don’t make illegal moves as they are learning.”

Some students already were familiar with the game, Mace said, while others played for the first time.

Amelia Robinson, a fifth-grader at Greenmont Elementary School, said she had seen her father play chess but hadn’t played until now.

Teacher Kevin Mace, center, discusses possible moves with fifth-graders Chase Petty, left, and Liam Emerich, right, during a game of chess Thursday at Greenmont Elementary School. (Provided)

“I like how you can play with your friends and it can help calm you down,” she said. “I like the queen, because she can do more moves than the other pieces.”

“I like the strategy. The way you play it affects the game,” said fifth-grader Jackson Walker . “It’s a wonderful experience to help you learn and think about how to move around the chess board.”

Fourth-grader Cohen Tracewell said he was taught chess by his grandfather and plays him and his dad.

“When I set something up, and they think ‘Oh this is going to be so easy,’ and they take (my piece) and I take theirs, it’s my favorite thing to do in chess,” he said. The class “taught me to look ahead to what might happen.”

“I’ve learned how to castle and how to use helpers,” said fourth-grader Cole Perdew.

Fifth-grader Micah Walsh surveys the chess board during a game Thursday at Greenmont Elementary School. Students in Kevin Mace’s STEAM class learned how to play chess this past week in recognition of National Chess Week. (Photo Provided)

Mace also emphasized the lessons taught by the game, including good gamesmanship, strategic thinking and planning ahead.

“Mr. Mace told us it could teach us life stuff, like how you need to think ahead in life like you do in chess,” said fifth-grader Owen Johnston.