VIDOR, Texas — For 5 days people representing the U.S. and Italy are going head-to-head in a checkers tournament in Vidor.
Over the years Vidor has become known as the checkers capital of the US according to the city's website, and it's something both residents and competitors take quite seriously.
The deafening silence added to the fierce tension between Italy and America's best at the tournament's halfway point.
Both teams hyper focused, looking to take home the first place trophy.
"We played the first one five or six years ago in Rome. This is our rematch. Italy won the first one by one point, U.S. is currently leading!" said John Acker, assistant referee of Vidor Checkers USA.
Vidor's city hall is the battleground for a tense rematch between Team USA and Team Italy, the five day tournament started on Monday.
"We play two game rounds. A round in this match lasts about three hours, and we typically play from about 9 a.m. to about 5 or 6 p.m. every day," said Acker.
Acker says this level of professional checkers requires strategic prowess and patience.
"These are some of the best players in the world and you cannot make a mistake. Checkers is a very precise game. Where are these pieces going to go? Where am I going to move this attack or this defense? What does my opponent know about this?" Acker said.
Mario Maiello is one of the 13 Italian players going for gold.
He has made the trip all the way from Naples to showcase the result of 15 years of dedication to the game.
"I am happy. It's going very well. I'm feeling very good in Texas and I hope it will continue to go that way," said Maiello
Tetiana Zaiseva is a women's champion representing the red-white-and-blue.
She is a native Ukrainian who found her calling at just 8-years old.
"I like playing checkers because we travel a lot for checkers tournaments. We have a lot of friends just because we play checkers," said Zaiseva.
While today was a struggle for her on the board, she's confident that Team USA will claim victory on Friday.
"Go USA! We will win!" She exclaimed.
Vidor Checkers USA Director, Watson Franks says he's coordinating with the city of Vidor to host a tournament between four different countries next year.