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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