Game on for valley kids competing in Central Valley Boardgaming Championships at Fresno State

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It's game on up at Fresno State for Valley students exercising their minds.

The train is filling up as kids from elementary school up to high school went head-to-head in the Central Valley Boardgaming Championships.

It's part of a Youth Boardgaming League developed by a Fresno State professor as an afterschool program.

It's a mental challenge made even tougher because most of the kids had never seen these games like Splendor, Qwirkle, and Ticket to Ride.

"These are European based boardgames, very different than we normally hear about in the United States. this is not Monopoly, not Sorry, Chutes and Ladders. These are games most people in the US have not heard of or ever played," said Dr. Greg Thatcher, Fresno State Associate Professor.

Thatcher said playing these games can help the kids think critically and learn how to communicate better.