Sienna Robertson, Staff Writer
March 8, 2024
Many can feel behind their peers at a rigorous school like Nobles when. so many students are exceptional at their own hobbies, sports, and passions. However, there’s a community of students who are exceptional in bringing together individuals who may feel left behind. At Nobles, spotting Chess.com open on at least 5 students’ screens, all of whom are within 10 feet of each other, is also not uncommon. It is typical to see companions and strangers alike bonding over this game, which has been established as a piece of world culture since the sixth century. Regardless of how you may perceive yourself in comparison to other members of our community, the Chess Team reminds you that Nobles is just that: a community.
Steered by captains Yisen Gu (Class I), Sam Li (Class I), and Derek Jin (Class II), the USS Chess does not plan on sinking any time soon. In a continuation of their undefeated season last year, these chess masters have gone on a 4-0 streak. Jin said, “In the past few years, Nobles has always come out on top.” It’s no mystery as to how the team’s captains can keep this ship afloat: “Natural talent, Oreos, microchip implants,” Li said. In all seriousness, the Chess Team’s success stems from the time and experience that these players have with the game. When asked how long they’ve played chess, Li said, “On and off, since I was about five,” and Jin said, “I’ve been playing chess for 11 years—ever since I was six years old.” Sticking with a passion from childhood well into your teenage years and potentially beyond is somewhat of an uncommon feat. What makes chess so important to the captains?
“I believe chess is uniquely representative of the human condition,” Jin said. “It is a game of decision-making, analysis, evaluation, and reflection, all under the pressure of the clock.” To the captains, chess is more than just a game: it’s an opportunity for growth. “I think [chess] has been with me through a lot. I don’t believe I can say it’s gotten me through all the hardships I’ve faced,” Li said. Learning and attempting to master chess is a bountiful goal where players reap the benefits of pure knowledge and accomplishment. “Under closed and well-defined confines, [chess] creates an unbounded world that could take multiple lifetimes to explore,” Jin said. Gu agreed with Li, saying, “It’s geared towards people who think ahead and like to plan things out.” Jin contrasts chess with another well-loved game in his explanation of its endless possibilities. “There are grandmasters who have been playing for decades, and they’re still learning. And, unlike poker, where information is hidden behind your opponent’s cards, in chess, all the information is laid out in front of you,” Jin said. According to the team captains, playing chess can benefit your comprehension skills and much more. In addition, the captains stress the ability of chess to build a diverse community.
On the surface, chess can be seen as a staple in bringing people together through simple conversation. “You can learn a lot about others just from talking over a game of chess,” Gu said. There are also opportunities to connect with the greater community through chess. As Jin describes, chess can teach individuals, especially children, a lot about how to solve problems that they may face. “I enjoy teaching chess to kids because I believe chess builds a lot of skills that are indispensable in school and in life,” he said. The Chess Team captains bring this ideology to their team as well. “The chess club is a vibrant and supportive community that I am lucky to be a part of, and I am not at all surprised that Nobles is the kind of place where a hobby as niche and specialized as chess can survive and thrive,” Jin said. It’s clear that the chess community at Nobles thrives on their collaborative skills and overall passion for the game. Of course, challenges arise with every benefactor.
However, the same cannot be said about this team, which is a jaw-dropper, to say the least. The Nobles Chess Team’s biggest difficulty is that they sometimes have scheduling issues due to the program not being counted as an official Nobles Afternoon Program. Another minor bump in the road, which has proven to be largely detrimental, is what Li describes as the Chess Team’s “constantly dwindling supply of Oreos.” Although the scheduling conflict is very present, Jin denounces even that as a true difficulty. “Afternoon Program leaders are usually more than willing to excuse our players, and many of our players practice for the matches in their spare time,” he says. So what could possibly be standing in their way (besides a very melancholy, Oreo-less team)? When it comes to this team, the USS Chess has been an unsinkable ship, powered by sheer passion and commitment to collectivity.
(Photo Credit: Zack Mittelstadt)
