portraits
» AMARILLO ISD
23
I
n chess, every move has a purpose. Each maneuver strategically
changes the game, with a player’s ultimate goal being to always,
always protect the king. For those who play, one of the most
enticing things about the game is that the cast of characters aren’t
limited to the hierarchy of their naming conventions. A well-
placed pawn, for example, could yield more power than a king.
It’s that greater symbolism that speaks to Bonham sixth grader
Christian Johnson. “If you’re a pawn, you may need to make two
more moves to become a queen,” says Christian, who uses
the complex game to draw some simple logic about life
and how you play it. “It makes me realize just because
I’m not amazing at something doesn’t mean I can’t
become amazing at it. Anyone can change the
world.”
Christian is one of many Amarillo ISD
students from elementary on up taking part
in an active assembly of school chess clubs.
When Portraits caught up with him during
Bonham’s advisory period, the school library
was unusually noisy. The mental sport is
not typically a social one. But at Bonham,
where chess is clearly popular, students think
out loud. “I let them talk through the game.
I think that’s part of it,” said librarian Suedell
McWhorter.
During their once-a-week advisory period,
students can ask Suedell for a pass to play chess,
in lieu of other advisory period options such as
studying, working on projects or checking out books
and reading. There’s never a shortage of players
asking for a pass. “I limit how many passes I hand
out because it gets crazy,” she says.
At Travis 6th, teachers Brad Phillips and
Trever Wagner know exactly what Suedell
means. As co-sponsors of their school’s new
chess club, an open invitation to students
to fi nd out more about the club drew more
than 100 potential players. Membership in this club requires students
to maintain an 80 or above average in all classes. “We expect them to
be better performers in the classroom,” says Trever. “They’re problem
solvers; they’re thinkers, so we want them to have those higher standards
for themselves.”
The mostly beginner group is learning the value of each piece, by having
a different one taken away each week. As Trever and Brad went around
the room plucking pieces from each player, one student complained he
couldn’t play without the castle-like rook. “He can play without his rook
and do quite well if he puts his mind to it,” says Trever. “It’s forcing them
to think differently and that’s what we want for them, to think critically.”
A recent weeks-long tournament crowned the club’s fi rst ever “chess
king.” Walid Abdelrahim’s victory earned him a cushy throne at the
special champion’s table. Walid knows the royal treatment is
his to lose when the next tournament plays out. He admits he
doesn’t always win, but counts some of his most satisfying
victories as those over his teacher. “I beat Mr. Phillips
twice in less than one minute,” grins Walid.
Third grader Payton Roller shares Walid’s
taste for victory. Part of a small and novice
chess club at San Jacinto Elementary,
Payton is one of six San Jacinto scholars
who will compete in the University
Interscholastic League’s puzzle-based
chess event this spring. “My favorite thing
about chess is beating people. I mean, who doesn’t like that?” she
quips. Already strategy-savvy, Payton won’t talk tricks. “Oh
no, I’m not telling my strategy because he’s right there!” she
laughs pointing to her opponent.
Across from Payton, second grader Xavier Ortiz
ponders his next move.
“I don’t think chess is hard,” shrugs Xavier. “My
teachers tell me I’m smart.”
Librarian Molly Kyle has watched her young group
quickly and enthusiastically embrace the game. “We
started with the basics week one, how do we set up
the board? Then the second week, we learned this
is the pawn and this is how it moves,” she says.
“At fi rst it was just moving pieces. Now they’re
thinking if I do this, you’ll do this. They’re
thinking beyond one step at a time.”
Molly’s mini chess masters, and all the others
across AISD, are ironically, the unwitting pawns of their educators. They’re
learning valuable skills to help them become thinkers, communicators,
collaborators and contributors, all cleverly disguised in a board game.
“What I love about chess is there’s no luck involved,” notes Molly. “If you
are the stronger thinker, you will prevail.”
IF CHESS TRULY IS A METAPHOR FOR LIFE, THESE STUDENTS LEARN
TO OUTWIT AND OVERCOME ONE GAME AT A TIME