New York Chess & Games: First and Second Graders Impress With Their Chess At Nationals!

    BROOKLYN, NY, May 18, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Brooklyn chess coach Christian Whitted and his first and second graders from Pioneer Academy (P.S. 307 in Corona Queens) come surprisingly close to winning at their first national chess tournament.

It looked like a good chance for a "Cinderella" ending up until the final round but there was just one team better in the K - 3rd grade unrated section this year at the United States Chess Federation's Elementary School national chess tournament. The brand new chess team from Pioneer Academy in Corona Queens NY had to settle for 2nd place as another team from New York, (PS. 166 in Manhattan) managed to hold on to the lead and take 1st place despite an impressive 7th round surge from Pioneer Academy.

Considering this is their first year as a chess team, their first year playing tournament chess and their first year travelling to Nationals, their 2nd place finish is still an impressive achievement.

The pint sized "Pioneers" received a hero's welcome upon return for their inspiring performance and for collecting the school's first ever trophy. Only in existence for 2 years, this is the first team of any kind for Pioneer Academy and the chess team's success is shared enthusiastically by the entire school community. The students treat the team members like stars and gather around wide eyed to hear about "the great Chess Adventure". Faculty and teachers warmly congratulate the team coaches and the principal and team founder Cecelia Jackson beams with pride at her young chess scholars' accomplishment.

Since the beginning, principal Jackson always planned for chess to be a big part of her school's curriculum and culture. Since hiring New York Chess & Games to provide regular day chess instruction to her 1st through 3rd grade students, she has seen the positive effects the chess program has had on her student body. "They are learning to problem solve, to accept challenges, to process information accurately and to think about the consequences of their decisions." She is already looking forward to next year's national elementary chess tournament in Tennessee and bringing back the 1st place trophy.

For more information regarding the NYC&G school chess program and other children and adult classes and activities, please contact: New York Chess & Games, 192 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718) 398 - 3727, [email protected], www.nycandg.com.

New York Chess & Games is a family oriented organization dedicated to improving lives through fun, educational experiences and with a variety of programs, products and games like chess. For further information, please contact us at (718) 398 - 3727 or via email at: [email protected].

New York Chess & Games
(718) 398 - 3727
Fax (888) 728 - 7871
[email protected]
www.nycandg.com

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