A VILLAGE WITH TWO STUDENTS, BOTH CHAMPIONS

In the rural school of Krekovi, located in the village of Nevesinje, only two students attend the fourth grade, and they happen to be the two chess champions of Republika Srpska.

PHOTO: RTRS

Andrea and Andrija share not only a school desk and assignments but also a chessboard and a love for the game. Their village, Krekovi, renowned for the Nevesinje rifle, now boasts of having two chess champions of Republika Srpska.

"In our class, there are only two of us. I don't have any more friends; Andrea is my only friend. I've been playing chess since I was six years old. I used to play with my grandma when I was little, and later with my brother. Now I'm better than my grandma," Andrija recounts.

"I'm in the fourth grade. Andrija is my best friend; we play chess together," adds Andrea.

Best friends, even in school, they occasionally play a game of chess to pass the time and test their skills – determining who is the better player.

Their teacher has nothing but praise for her two students. She is their pillar of support, not only for the fourth graders but also for the first graders with whom these fourth graders share a classroom.