Students find rewards in ancient game
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
When you’re passing through the metal detector just inside Liberty High School’s classroom 104, all the chess boards might catch you a little off guard.Teens stationed at their desks bent over bishops, knights and rooks are deep in concentration.
Clearly, chess is taking over Sean King’s Liberty High classroom.“I think the staff here are happy to see them excited about something so positive,” King said. “It’s brought the kids together.”
The chess action is a trend sparked by King, an instructor focused on getting students at both Liberty and Chamberlain high schools fired up about the strategic game. A student tournament wrapped up Halloween week, and Daniel Lueras — a 15-year-old Chamberlain sophomore — emerged as champion.
Quiet and cautious, Lueras takes his newfound status in stride. He is one of the Napa County Office of Education’s 200-plus court and community school students, some of whom have pasts in the criminal justice system or are otherwise unable to attend traditional schools.
Lueras, a man of few words, has only basic tips for those who want to improve their chess game.
“It takes practice,” he said.
Here is the full article.
This is great. The kids need it.
Yes, Chess brought kids together.