MASSENA -- Eighteen Massena school students recently had more than they could handle when they all played Dr. David Kistler in simultaneous chess matches.

Kistler, an avid local chess competitor, won every match during an exhibition Oct. 11 in the Massena Central School.

The chess exhibition was organized by Spanish teacher Joseph Boyle to recognize National Chess Day, which is held every year on the second Saturday in October. National Chess Day was declared by President Ford on Oct. 9, 1976 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration.

Kistler took on James Farbotnik, Mathias LeBlanc, French exchange student Axelle Langle and 15 others during the exhibition. The games started with 18 boards, said observer Robert LeBlanc, but it didn't take long for some players to drop out. Only two girls played, but Langle played the longest game of any of the students, LeBlanc said.

Kistler is an assistant professor of business administration at SUNY Potsdam and an avid chess competitor. The professor began playing at age 12 and according to the SUNY Potsdam website, he studies the game every day and plays either in a tournament or chess club once a week.

He has been a faculty member at SUNY Potsdam since 2001.