Migrant Chess Student Ties for 1st Place at NYC Tournament

A proud papa….after sacrificing everything to make his way to America, earning something as simple a chess trophy represents what he fought so desperately for…an opportunity for his son Maykel…

Maykel is an 8 year old refugee from Ecuador who recently arrived in NYC. He was introduced to chess through our bilingual chess program at his local NYC public school. He spends most afternoons at our Times Square Bilingual Chess Center.

Today Maykel competed at a local US Chess rated tournament against his peers from across NYC and went a perfect 3-0. When the dust settled he tied for 1st place and was awarded his first every chess trophy.

The reality is Maykel is already here in NYC. Doing nothing is not an option & at some point we need to realize that a win for Maykel is a win for all of us.

We need to use chess to reimagine education beyond just the 4 walls of a classroom. For kids like Maykel it could mean everything.

Congratulating Maykel!!