Brooklyn Public School Students Win National Elementary Chess Championship

A team of six fourth and fifth-grade students from PS 130, The Parkside School in Brooklyn, New York, secured first place at the 2026 US Chess National Elementary K-6 Championship. Competing in Baltimore against approximately 2,500 students from 35 states, the public school squad defeated prestigious private institutions, including Hunter College Elementary School and Speyer Legacy School. The team finished with 19.5 points, winning the K-5 Championship section by a margin of two points. Alexis Paredes, program director at Impact Coaching Network, highlighted the victory as proof that dedication and strategic thinking can overcome resource disparities often favoring elite private schools. This national title follows the team's earlier win at the New York State Scholastic Championships. The article emphasizes the educational value of chess, noting how the program fosters resilience, social skills, and confidence among students. Paredes, a Brooklyn native who learned chess in public school, credited the coaches and students' consistent practice and sportsmanship for their success in what was described as the scholastic chess equivalent of the Super Bowl.