Braydon Povinelli was accustomed to playing chess online against multiple players at the same time but found doing it in a live setting quite exhausting.

The fact that he was doing so as a fundraiser event for Drug Free Shelby County made the physical toll worthwhile.

The Shelbyville High School senior and reigning Indiana State Chess Champion faced 10 players simultaneously Oct. 30 at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport’s new hangar.

Through donations, Povinelli was able to raise $3,055 which was presented to Lori Springer of Shelby County Drug Free on Tuesday afternoon at Shelbyville High School’s Golden Bear Room.

“It was fun,” said Povinelli. “There are plans to make this an annual event.”

Povinelli moved chess board to chess board during the event, quickly scanning the pieces and making his next move. The mental strain was expected but the physical toll of walking and playing for well over two hours caught up to him.

“It was a lot tougher than I thought it would be,” he said Tuesday afternoon. “It took a lot longer than I expected. Mentally, it took a toll. About an hour in it was pretty obvious to me this was going to be very tiring. And physically, walking for two-and-a-half hours was not so easy.”

Povinelli’s chess schedule is light now as 2021 closes down. He will defend his state championship in April.

“Right now it is just continuing to play and improving,” he said.

Up next for him is deciding his college route.

Povinelli is one of five finalists for the 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Shelby County. The winner will be announced in December.