P.S. 130 The Parkside School Brooklyn Lions Chess Team, took the first place prize at the New York State Scholastic Chess Championship in March. The event hosted over 1700 students vying for the State Champion title.

by Denise Henry

Chess coaches love teaching students how to develop their chess pieces to gain control during a match. But watching students build essential skills that will help them in their everyday lives, is the real checkmate.

“Chess helps your brain focus,” says Seamus. “In chess you need to remember your moves. When you accelerate in chess, you also accelerate in reading because you need to concentrate on the words and you need to remember.”

Even when they’re not making decisive moves on the chessboard against an opponent, these students use what they learn in chess to help them in other areas of their busy lives. “Chess helps you work as a team,” says Noah. “It’s not just about you scoring or the points, you have to trust your teammates.”

Trusting their teammates helped the Brooklyn Lions secure the big win when they scored 16.5 points to win the K-3 primary title. “We won because of Alice’s last win,” says Seamus. These students know that the strategies and skills they use to win at chess, also helps them succeed in the classroom.

“Chess helps you in writing,” says Noah. “When you notate, if you don’t write neatly, the coach can’t read it and can’t help you get better.”

“In chess, you have to take your time, and not rush through it” adds Alice. “This also helps me in math class because if you’re going to have a bunch of pieces being traded off, you have to do the math and see who has more material afterward.”

Her teammate Adrian agrees. “Chess helps with math and calculating to see who has a better position. You can’t rush because you can always make a mistake,” says Adrian. “Chess teaches you perseverance.”

Slow and steady isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of most third graders! But in chess, you have to work slowly, in silence, until a winner is crowned. So why did these students choose a game that takes so much time and patience? Their answers are honest and straightforward, just like kids.

“I just wanted to have something fun that I could do and play with my friends,” says Seamus.

“I started when I was 5,” says Noah. “My dad bought me a chess board and he showed me how the pieces move and then eventually I learned how to play and he asked me if I wanted to go to a tournament. I said yes, that’s how I started playing.”

“In kindergarten Noah’s babysitter used to take us to Noah’s house and we would play chess there,” says Alice. “Noah played chess and I started watching the lessons that he did on his computer, because it was COVID, and I started to want to play chess too.”

“I started chess when I was 4 in pre-K” says Adrian. “My grandpa taught me how to play and I really liked it so I wanted to join the chess team.”

“Strategy” says Adrian, “Think” says Alice, “Calm” says Noah. “Patience” says Seamus. Words these 3rd grade students use to describe the game of chess.

But like most games, there are moments when nerves impact performance. “I get really nervous if it’s the last game,” says Adrian. “I really want to win so I kind of have a lot of pressure on me.”

As a team, these Lions always work together to get each other through the stressful moments during a match. “We always try to lift each other up. Sometimes a teammate yells, ‘We’re gonna cook!’ says Seamus. With those three words, these Lions believe that they are going to walk away with a win.

Thanks to the work of the P.S. 130 PTA who brought in Impact Coaching Network (ICN), the Brooklyn Lions chess team will continue to grow and hopefully win many more championships.

“The chess program was started in 2019 and has grown, and now we have K-4. There’s a 10-week cycle where they teach in all of the classrooms and there’s also an after school program that ICN does on Mondays and Thursdays,” says P.S. 130 Assistant Principal, Meredith Jose.

Alexis Paredes, program director of ICN, coaches these talented players. “I am incredibly proud of the Brooklyn Lions,” says Alexis. “Their resilience, unity, and unwavering spirit has been amazing to watch. After nonstop training, we were finally able to defeat the top private schools in New York. Every round, our students played with tremendous bravery and creativity. As their coach, this is an incredible honor that I will never forget.”

The Lions express the same admiration and respect when they talk about what makes a great coach. “A good coach is someone who helps you if you have struggles,” says Adrian. “They are calm with you and they don’t get mad if you lose, they just say that you tried your best.”

“Coach Alex is a grandmaster and he’s an amazing coach,” says Adrian. “We’re pretty lucky to have him and Coach Brian.”

“All the coaches are really nice, they teach you openings, they encourage you a lot,” says Seamus.

“They take the time out of their day to come here and teach us chess.” Noah adds, “They would rather us lose a really long game than win a Scholar’s mate.”

“A good coach will encourage you, not just say, ‘Why did you lose?’, says Alice.

P.S. 130 trophies are proudly displayed in the school hallway.

Taking the valuable tips from their coaches, these students are slowly becoming the teachers. They have some wise words of encouragement for those kids and adults who are hesitant to learn the game of chess. “Just don’t be afraid about chess, try to learn something new. Change can be a good life experience,” says Seamus.

There is no endgame in sight for these Brooklyn Lions. Their opening was assembling a dedicated community of parents and staff that saw the passion in students to learn a new skill. As a team, they are developing a chess program that will continue to grow and establish a dominant position against future opponents.