The Uni chess team had a tremendous season last year, when the team took home state and national titles. The players received plenty of much-deserved attention, but what about the coach? As Uni enters this year as defending state champion, here's a look at Chris Merli, who took over the program in 2000.

For the past four years Uni has had its very own chess genius in Gordon Ruan. Next year the state champion Illineks will welcome Gordon's talented younger sibling, George. However, great minds do not necessarily think alike. Read on to learn about two very different brothers who share a passion for the game of kings.

The Uni chess team entered last month's IHSA state tournament seeded second overall. What happened next was quite a rollercoaster ride: second place at the end of the first day, 11th when the tourney ended, and tops among small schools. Check out this audio slideshow as Andrea Park, Gordon Ruan, and Alex Zhai look back at the two-day event.