First-ever inter-elementary school chess match draws wits

The January passing of the chess world's most-famous erstwhile child prodigy, Bobby Fischer, may not ring a bell for the 20-plus Fremont and Mark Twain elementary chess club players Tuesday; but judging from the mid-match stern looks exchanged across chess boards, the sport is alive and well in Carson City.

This week, chess clubs from both schools squared off for the first time.

"It really comes down to these kids learning a skill," said John Test, a fifth-grade teacher at Mark Twain, and head of the school's chess club. "It teaches them math skills, problem-solving skills - and yes, even people skills."

Indeed, as Jordan Stine, 10, a fifth-grade student from Mark Twain, prepared to square off against Mikey Irwin, 10, a Fremont Elementary fifth grader, the two shook hands and cordially introduced themselves.

"I don't know him, I don't think," said Mikey. "But yeah, it will be interesting to go against someone my own age."

Jordan, who said he's played chess against family members for "five or six years," said going toe to toe against a peer was the next logical step in his game.

"I think playing someone from a different school is a pretty good idea," he said - eyeing one of Mikey's pawns. "But there's no pressure, really."

The matches were loosely based on international rules, instructor Test said. The room was conspicuously absent time clocks and bearded old men who hone the timeless game amongst Central Park pigeons.

What Test's Mark Twain classroom did feature once the games got underway, however, was plenty of silence.

"Well, you really don't get used to them ever being this quiet do you?" said Fremont Elementary fourth-grade teacher Mary Berge.

"This tournament is the first of its kind, and I think it's going pretty well. Both schools have chess clubs and I got together with John and said, 'Why not get them together?'"

Students from third through fifth grades participated in the match, which pitted players of like ability and age against one another.

Some matches didn't take long - within 10 minutes of the initial square-off, tiny whispers of "check" could be heard slicing through the silent classroom.

One match that seemed to move at a slightly slower pace - denoting, perhaps, an even matchup - was that between Mark Twain fourth grader Huma Firdhos and Delaney Mott, a fourth grader from Fremont.

Both 10-year-olds sat, chins buried in hands, assessing the chessboard and the black and white plastic pieces beneath their gaze.

"I play with my dad a lot," Huma said. "My little sister always tries to come over and get (involved), and we're always like, 'no you can't play.'"

It's a family affair for Delaney as well.

"I play with my grandpa," she said. "And no, he doesn't let me win. He's pretty tough, actually."

As the girls exchanged pieces, first pawns, then rooks, then knights - en route to the coveted king, they espoused the merits of the sportsmanship aspect of the match-up.

"I think what I like about this is it gives you more confidence meeting others," Delaney said.

And then silence as she turned her focus back to the chessboard.

Broken moments later by a small voice whispering checkmate as Jordan moved in on Mikey's king. As Mikey's position became untenable, Jordan reached across the chessboard for a handshake.

"Good game," Jordan said to his new chess contemporary.

"Yep. Anytime," Mikey said.