Brooklyn’s Young Chess Champions Win National Title
The champions of elementary school chess are proudly donning Brooklyn backpacks. A group of six students from Parkside School, PS 130, in Windsor Terrace recently achieved a remarkable feat by claiming victory in the 2026 U.S. Chess National K-6 Championship, besting some of the nation’s most prestigious schools.
This talented group traveled to Baltimore earlier this month and competed against about 2,500 students from 35 states. Organizers described this tournament as one of the largest academic chess events in recent history.
“It was a huge event, like the Super Bowl for chess enthusiasts,” said Alexis Paredes, the program director at the school.
The team, consisting of fourth and fifth graders aged 10 to 11, secured the highly sought-after K-5 Championship title, marking the pinnacle of achievement for elementary schools at the national level.
They didn’t just pass through the competition; they dominated it.
“PS 130 won by a perfect two-point margin,” Paredes shared with pride. “One of the most gratifying aspects is that we are a Brooklyn public school and managed to outshine some of the top private institutions in the country.”
Among their competitors were notable schools like Hunter College Elementary School and Speyer Legacy School.
This championship concluded a fantastic season for Brooklyn’s young chess stars, who also claimed victory at the New York State Scholastic Championship in Saratoga Springs back in March.
The tournament itself was an intense mental challenge, featuring seven rigorous rounds over three days (May 1-3) at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Throughout the competition, PS 130 amassed a total of 19.5 out of 28 points, finishing with a significant lead over their peers.
For Paredes, this victory held a personal significance.
The Brooklyn-born chess coach first learned the game in first grade in Greenpoint and devotes his time to mentoring young New Yorkers through after-school chess programs facilitated by ICN in roughly 40 schools across Brooklyn and Manhattan.
At PS 130, around 150 students participate in the chess program, with roughly 40 planning to compete nationally this year.
Recently, there have been calls for the Public Schools Athletic Federation to formally recognize chess as a sport, following advocacy from parents and the Citywide High School Council.
Paredes emphasizes that for his organization, ICN, the focus isn’t just on producing champions, but on ensuring that kids, regardless of their skill level, can experience the educational, social, and confidence-boosting advantages of chess.
At this school, students train year-round for local, city, state, and national competitions, with coaches grouping kids by age, experience, and skill level to master strategies and tactics.
The team’s recent successes highlight that you don’t need to hail from a wealthy private school to excel at the highest levels.
“However, these kids have demonstrated that you can compete at elite levels without that background. Success in chess hinges on consistency, work ethic, sportsmanship, creative thinking, and self-belief.”
According to Paredes, the children are dedicated, attending practice three days a week after school, while also engaging in weekend tournament competitions.
Yet, the lessons extend beyond just the game.
“Chess imparts valuable lessons in resilience and the ability to learn from setbacks,” Paredes noted. “Furthermore, our lessons enhance social skills and illustrate the importance of teamwork.”
Reflecting on his childhood experiences, Paredes mentioned that it can be difficult for young learners to embrace the idea of losing.
Paredes believes this mindset was key in propelling this group to victory.
He has been coaching these six champions since they were freshmen, and he feels this four-year journey has molded them into elite players as well as a tightly-knit group of friends.
