Photo by Philippe of http://phildornbusch.blogspot.com
Hundreds Of Student Chess Players Compete In Upper East Side Tournament
March 29, 2008
Over 350 students from across the city are matching wits on the chessboard at an Upper East Side school today.
The second annual “Garodnick Challenge,” sponsored by City Councilman Dan Garodnick and organized by the group Chess in the Schools, is taking place today in Robert F. Wagner Middle School on East 76th Street.
“It’s such a big deal because we get basically a community together. We have students coming from all schools in all boroughs,” said Stanley Switalski, an 11th-grade competitor.
Students told NY1 that they like the challenges they face on the chess board.
“I just love the fact that it’s a war that’s peaceful, but you can also use strategy to implement your techniques and all that kinda stuff,” said Switalski.
“It’s like a real life video game, because you’re really inside of it and you’re playing this battle with your mind,” said fifth-grader Rebecca Rodriguez.
“I like playing chess because it helps me with my math skills, helps me calculate and plan,” said fourth-grader Emely Herasme.
One noted school chess team from P.S. 70 in the Bronx, known as the “Bronx Bombers,” is led by teacher David MacEnulty. Their journey from underdogs to national contenders was dramatized in a 2005 TV movie, “Knights of the South Bronx.”
Here is the full article and video.
David Macenulty coached at CES 70 in the 90s, but he works at Dalton now.
Elizabeth Vicary is an excellent coach, player and a good looking female.
Great looking chess set. I wonder what would qualify as the funniest chess sets anyone has ever seen.