Since he was 5 yrs old| Jose's abuelita taught him to play chess like his grandfather who was a champion in Mexico. Now as part of the Brownsville school team| Josehas the chance to use his skills and for once in his life| finds himself in the spotlight| as he tries to help his team make it to the Texas state finals. As theircoach| Mr. Alvarado| teaches his students the meaning of perseverance and team effort in the face of adversity| Jose discovers his own strengths and uses them tobring his broken family together.