The Brooklyn Rooks: Checkmate in 2012-13!

We can’t wait to see the PS 39 Chess Team’s next move for the new school year. Last year was a hard act to follow; the team participated in the nationals in Nashville, and third grader Jeremy Rodriguez won the title of co-national champion in the under 900 section.  Parent and team coordinator Beth Kleber tells us that the national competition is no picnic: it’s three grueling days of intense competition, yet Jeremy won every game he played. This year, we have several top returning players, plus a great new crop of members for this year’s co-ed team. The Rooks are already off to a great start, taking first place in the under 700 section in this past weekend's Right Move chess tournament at Riverbank State Park.  The chess team and club are great confidence builders for vets and newbies alike, so stay tuned for reports on upcoming tournaments as the Brooklyn Rooks take on the 2012-13 chess challenge.

-Ron Sklar 

PS 39 Reporter-at-large