East High School Chess Club: A Strategic Revival in Columbus Education

East High School Chess Team Thrives Amid Resurgence of the Game in Columbus

Columbus, OH — What began as a casual lunchtime activity at East High School has blossomed into a thriving chess community, thanks to the enthusiasm of Assistant Principal Karen Carey and the support of the Columbus Chess Academy.

Several years ago, Carey set up chessboards in the lunchroom, igniting a friendly competition among students. “I would trash talk intentionally just to get them to come back the next day,” she recalled. This playful banter transformed into a daily ritual, leading to the formation of the East High School chess team, which now boasts around 10 dedicated members.

Among them is sophomore Fernando Estrada, who proudly wore his East High letterman jacket adorned with a chess knight at the recent “Queen City Classic,” a statewide tournament in Cincinnati. Estrada secured third place in the non-rated high school competition, a testament to the skills he has honed through practice and perseverance. “Chess has taught me to be more patient and focus on self-improvement,” he said. “When you lose, you want to go against that person again and see if you can win.”

The East High chess team is part of a larger movement to revive chess in Columbus schools, spearheaded by the Columbus Chess Academy (CCA). Founded by four former Columbus City Schools students, including executive director Kathy Lin, the nonprofit aims to reintroduce chess to the district. “There’s so many benefits to chess,” Lin explained. “It fosters problem-solving, logical thinking, and sportsmanship.”

Currently, around 300 students participate in chess clubs across 23 Columbus City Schools, with some schools reporting 40-60 participants. The CCA provides volunteer chess instructors who visit schools to teach strategies and offer guidance. Lin noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the popularity of the Netflix series “The Queen’s Gambit” have rekindled interest in chess among young people.

Students in the East High chess club are already reaping the rewards of their involvement. A 2016 study published in the Educational Research Review found that chess positively influences academic and cognitive abilities, particularly in math. Senior Isaiah Giday shared how chess has helped him socially, allowing him to connect with others through the game. “You can learn somebody or meet someone new and strike up a conversation,” he said.

Freshman Stephon Gardner expressed his ambition to reach the skill level of chess grandmasters, saying, “Just knowing that I can get better inspires me to keep coming back.”

Carey has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of chess on her students. “They are more focused and better at analyzing information,” she said. “It allows them to think for themselves and apply these strategies to life.”

As East High School continues to nurture its chess program, the future looks bright for these young players, who are not only mastering the game but also developing skills that will serve them well beyond the chessboard.

For more information on the Columbus Chess Academy and its initiatives, visit Columbus Chess Academy.

Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report.

This article originally appeared in The Columbus Dispatch.