Ever since Lawrence moved from Charlotte to Larenville, North Carolina, to live with his granny, things haven't been going well. He keeps getting into fights, so when he gets expelled, he starts spending time at the rec center, helping out a neighbor who runs a chess program. Lawrence doesn't know anything about chess, but when he learns some of the kids will be selected to compete in the Charlotte Classic chess tournament, he realizes it could be his ticket home. As he spends more time at the rec center, he finds himself feeling more and more at home with the people there, and he discovers a place to truly belong.