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New York City
August 2002

I.S. 318 Wins Chess Championship

Intermediate School 318 recently celebrated its third consecutive National Chess Championship. Located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, I.S. 318 triumphed over thousands of competitors to bring the top prize back to Brooklyn.

The chess program at I.S. 318 has become a model educational partnership between the school and a non-profit organization called Chess-in-the-Schools (CIS), which is dedicated to bringing the game of chess to inner-city children.

The children at I.S. 318 are central to the success of the coeducational team, which serves students of all abilities and skill levels. The students dedicate an enormous amount of time to improving their play by attending the after-school chess club, practicing at home, playing during their lunch periods, and attending weekly tournaments across the city. The club also reflects the city’s great diversity. The team has students from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, Poland, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Haiti, Ecuador, China, and Mexico.

The success of the team would not be possible without the support of Chess-in-the-Schools. Elizabeth Vicary coaches the club during the school day and intensive after-school sessions. World-renowned Grandmaster Miron Sher, trains and lectures the most advanced students.

The partnership is made complete with the dedicated support of the school and the District. Two teachers, John Galvin and Lauris Murnieks coordinate and chaperone the team to scores of tournaments and trips. Any educator will appreciate the special challenge of chaperoning 36 teenagers in a hotel for six days! Principal Alan Fierstein of I.S. 318 has led the way in the foundation of the team, refusing to allow any obstacle to stand in the way of the team’s success. At the District level, Superintendent Patricia Synan has generously and proudly supported the team.

The success of the team over three years has become contagious. The reputation of the school has been enhanced across the city as students have sought admission to the program. The school credits its outstanding 95 percent daily attendance rate and strong reading and math scores in part to the culture of achievement reinforced by the chess team.

The young chess champions from Brooklyn have made the entire school community proud. Miguel Borrero, one of the key players on the team summed up his feelings: “When I got off the plane from Milwaukee and my mom saw the big trophy I was carrying, she was happy. I was happy.”#

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