During the event, which was held at the Chicago Police Department Training Academy, UFC athletes and law enforcement teamed up to compete against more than a dozen students in a formal chess tournament.
“These kids have a passion for chess and it’s amazing to see how competitive they are,” said Dariush. “You can feel the positive energy from this program, and it’s really cool to see.”
UFC athletes brought energy, smiles, and sportsmanship to the event, which is aimed to promote non-violence while fostering positive relationships between local youth and law enforcement throughout the metro Chicago area with chess as a vehicle for community cohesion.
“The students are really intense and competitive, and you can tell they are working as hard as they can to be the best,” said Guida. “You can also see how this can help shape the way they study and attack their education in the classroom, and that is the most important attribute they can learn here. This program is impressive!”