The kings of the elementary college chess world now put on backpacks from Brooklyn.
A group of six public college college students from PS 130, The Parkside Faculty in Windsor Terrace, pulled off a brainy upset for the ages this month — taking residence first place on the 2026 US Chess Nationwide Elementary Ok-6 Championship after toppling a number of the nation’s most elite faculties.
The pint-sized prodigies traveled to Baltimore earlier this month and outmaneuvered roughly 2,500 college students from 35 states at what organizers known as one of many largest scholastic chess tournaments in latest reminiscence.
“It was a very large occasion, and the equal of our Tremendous Bowl as chess gamers,” Alexis Paredes, the college’s program director at Influence Teaching Community, instructed The Put up.
The six-player squad — made up of fourth- and fifth-graders between ages 10 and 11 — clinched the coveted Ok-5 Championship part title, the very best honor an elementary college can win on the nationwide degree.
And so they didn’t simply squeak by.
“PS 130 gained by a full two factors,” Paredes, 29, mentioned proudly. “And among the best components is that we’re a public college in Brooklyn that beat a number of the high non-public faculties within the nation.”
That included powerhouse rivals like Hunter School Elementary Faculty and Speyer Legacy Faculty right here in Gotham.
The championship capped off a dream season for the Brooklyn brainiacs, who additionally snagged first place on the New York State Scholastic Championships in Saratoga Springs again in March.
“Profitable first place in New York State after which nationally confirmed these youngsters that each one their apply, self-discipline and dedication really paid off,” the native New Yorker mentioned.
The event itself was a marathon of psychological warfare: seven grueling rounds performed throughout three days (Might 1-3) at Baltimore Conference Heart.
Groups accrued factors all through the competitors, with PS 130 ending with 19.5 factors out of a attainable 28 — comfortably forward of the pack.
For Paredes, the victory was particularly private.
The Brooklyn-born chess coach discovered the sport himself as a primary grader rising up in Greenpoint and now spends his days serving to younger New Yorkers sharpen their abilities by means of after-school chess packages run by ICN throughout roughly 40 faculties in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
“I discovered chess at my very own public elementary college in Brooklyn and spent my childhood competing each weekend,” he mentioned.
“That’s why I related a lot with ICN’s mission of constructing sturdy chess communities and giving youngsters those self same alternatives.”
At PS 130 alone, roughly 150 college students take part within the college’s chess program, with about 40 youngsters touring to nationals this 12 months.
For Paredes’ firm ICN, it’s not nearly creating champions — it’s ensuring youngsters of each ability degree can expertise the “social, tutorial and confidence-boosting advantages of chess,” Paredes mentioned.
At this specific college, college students prepare year-round for native, metropolis, state and nationwide tournaments, with Paredes and his coaches grouping youngsters by age, expertise and ability degree to sharpen their methods — whether or not they’re studying how the knight strikes or chasing nationwide titles.
Paredes mentioned the group’s latest triumph proves elite-level success isn’t reserved for rich non-public faculties with huge sources.
“Non-public and elite faculties often have extra funding and sources,” he acknowledged.
“However these youngsters proved you don’t want to return from that to compete on the highest degree — success in chess comes all the way down to consistency, an incredible work ethic, good sportsmanship, inventive pondering, strategizing and believing in your self.”
The coach mentioned the youngsters prepare relentlessly — attending after-school classes three days every week and competing in weekend tournaments throughout the town.
However the classes lengthen far past pawns and queens.
“Chess teaches these youngsters a lot about resilience and studying out of your failures and errors,” Paredes mentioned. “Our classes additionally assist them develop social abilities and see the significance of teamwork.”
As a baby studying chess for the primary time, Paredes famous that it may be “onerous to be open” to studying out of your losses.
“That’s why the opposite coaches and I assist the kids really feel comfy and have a protected area to not solely have a good time their wins, but in addition to take motion and discover a lesson discovered inside every loss.”
He believes that mentality is what helped this small however mighty squad emerge victorious.
Paredes added: “Some individuals suppose chess is only a board recreation, however these youngsters and coaches know it’s so rather more.”
The director has coached these six nationwide champions since they have been first graders — a four-year journey he says formed them into not solely elite gamers, however a tight-knit group of finest buddies.
“They’re the heroes of our Brooklyn neighborhood and I’m so happy with them,” he mentioned. “I’ve watched them develop up collectively, push one another to enhance and construct unimaginable friendships by means of chess.”
Seeing them now have a good time a nationwide championship collectively after years of onerous work, he added, is “extremely particular.”
