Chess fever has arrived in classrooms around the nation. American students are taking up this centuries-old pastime, squeezing in matches during lunch breaks, recess, or even surreptitiously during class. Experts aren’t sure why the game’s popularity has soared recently, but some attribute it to boredom during the pandemic lockdown or the influence of chess stars on social media. Whatever the cause, data from Chess.com shows that between last November and April, the number of daily users rose from 5.4 million to more than 11 million, with the most growth among players ages 13 to 17. Some teachers have concerns, particularly over students playing instead of paying attention to lessons. But others consider the craze healthy, as chess helps students develop strategic thinking skills and the ability to take calculated risks. “I believe chess broadens their intellect,” Robert Taliaferro, who coaches a Detroit high school chess team, told Education Week. “How much you put into it is how much you get out of it.”