Last year at Sepulveda Middle School in Los Angeles I brought a chess set to school. It seemed like a nice idea to play outside during the morning break and lunch. Eventually more than one student wanted to play. So another chess board arrived. Then more students expressed an interest and we added two more chess boards. A counselor saw a "troubled" student play chess on many days and she was so enthused that she donated money for four more chess sets. At this point the students played on two tables - a wonderful public outdoor chess display!
Interest continued to grow. Soon the principal commented on the chess phenomenon and gave money for more boards. By the end of the year we had 13 boards set up and occupied almost every day, twice a day.
I cannot comment on the academic gains students might have experienced. However there is a clear and simple joy I can report - that of young people in a challenging urban school environment putting their minds to use over a simple 8x8 board, playing a popular game that they may enjoy for a lifetime.
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