Chess for Peace: Teaching Life Skills Through Strategy and Patience

Chess for Peace: A Strategic Move Against Youth Violence in Boston

Roxbury, MA — In a world where impulsive decisions often lead to dire consequences, a new initiative in Boston is urging young minds to slow down and think critically. “I know we’re used to rushing, but this is a mind game. So we want to slow down and think,” said Ishmael Shaheed, an instructor at the newly launched Chess for Peace program. “Don’t move off of impulse.”

This message resonates far beyond the chessboard, as organizers aim to equip children with essential life skills such as strategic thinking and conflict resolution. The program, which offers free chess classes every Sunday afternoon in the basement of Madison Park High School, is part of a broader Boston Public Schools initiative designed to combat youth violence and the negative impacts of technology.

A Community Response to Youth Violence

The Chess for Peace program is affiliated with the 6-WON-7 initiative, which has rapidly expanded over the past two years. According to Cory McCarthy, director of student support at Boston Public Schools, the program was launched in response to alarming reports of unruly teenagers causing chaos in public spaces. “School should feel like a community,” McCarthy emphasized. “It’s a safety issue. It’s violence prevention, it’s youth development, it’s all part of student wellness.”

While overall violent crime has decreased, youth violence remains a pressing concern in Boston, often fueled by gang affiliations and exacerbated by social media. Experts note that technology can shorten attention spans and encourage rash decision-making, making the strategic nature of chess a powerful antidote.

Life Lessons Through Chess

Renee Callender, a retired Boston police detective who spearheaded the program, believes that chess mirrors life. “In the game of chess, like life, every action comes with consequences,” she said. The idea for the program was inspired by a youth chess tournament she watched on television, where players exhibited remarkable poise and focus. “It’s not only about how to play but how to lose,” she added. “How to gracefully lose. How to be humble.”

The program has attracted a diverse group of young participants, including 7-year-old Jacquami Pierre, who recently faced off against fellow chess enthusiast Filip Rancic. “Sometimes he wins, sometimes he loses. So that’s good for him,” said Filip’s father, Milan Rancic. “They need to learn to be patient enough to develop a strategy, and obviously avoid a tantrum when they lose.”

Building Friendships and Skills

During the classes, students engage in intense matches while instructors like Shaheed and Rhodes Pierre offer guidance. “It’s about seeing the moves behind the moves,” Shaheed tells his students. “It takes paying attention, hearing your own self think. Most games are won or lost because of focus.”

Pierre, who has experienced the impacts of violence firsthand, believes that providing youth with constructive outlets is crucial. “Giving people another outlet to express themselves without having to revert to violence, that’s a good thing,” he said. “Making people sit down and think. It’s a better avenue than what we have right now.”

A Personal Journey

Shaheed’s own journey through poverty, crime, and incarceration led him to discover the transformative power of chess. “The easy money, it wasn’t working. I needed a better move,” he reflected. Now, he hopes to pass on the lessons he learned to the next generation. “Chess is a game of distress, tribulations, defeat, obstacles, resistance, competition, sorrow, and conquest,” he wrote in his recently published book, Games Over: The Real Story About Chess and Life. “And that’s what life is all about — overcoming barriers and making progress.”

As the Chess for Peace program continues to grow, it stands as a testament to the power of strategic thinking and community engagement in the fight against youth violence. With each move on the board, these young players are not just learning a game; they are gaining invaluable skills that could shape their futures.