Ridgeway Elementary School was a chess powerhouse for two decades, so when a former student enrolled his own son in the school, it came as a surprise that there was no longer a strong chess culture. Changes in administration and other program offerings saw chess become one of many programs for students, instead of the…
When Bryan Nella’s wife returned from a Post Road Elementary School PTA meeting to report there was no parent coordinator for the chess program last year, she was effectively conscripting her husband into service. He had his own school chess experience while growing up and here was the opportunity to help another generation. The NSCF…
Participation has increased this year with 42 boys active in the after school chess program “Chess Encore;” 33 boys also play on the Brunswick chess team with many more coming to tournaments than ever before. In the November NSCF tournament at Greenwich Academy, 31 played with many scoring in the top 4 as individuals and…
Because ESL teachers work with individuals or very small groups of students, many don’t have a classroom. When Mark Hegenauer came to Columbus Elementary School in New Rochelle in 1998, “I was set up in a closet.” While space may not be a problem for ESL, it’s definitely a problem when more kids are interested…
Led by NSCF instructor and coach, Nolan Kordsmeier, the co-ed chess club first started at lunchtimes in 1982. It grew to 145 players in 2012 with 72 participating in tournaments throughout Westchester County and southern Connecticut during the past school year and regularly winning top team and individual prizes. At the Cottle Elementary School chess…