Walnut Grove Elementary students are challenged by Grandmasters (left to right) Alejandro Ramirez and Yasser Serawan.

F-F District, Ascension Health System

Launches After-school Chess Program

The elementary and middle school students in the Ferguson-Florissant School District (FFSD) have the opportunity to become chess grandmasters. Funded by Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and non-profit health system, and administered by The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis and Ascension, an after-school chess program led by certified instructors was launched Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Walnut Grove Elementary School.

Representatives from the two organizations met with 34 third through sixth graders. The students then played a few rounds of chess with grandmaster chess players. At the conclusion of the launch, all 34 students received travel chess sets.

“Chess is truly a special and magical game, particularly for young people,” said Maurice Ashley, the first and only African-American grandmaster. “I learned to play chess at the age of 14 and it became the largest influencer in my life.”

Ashley is from Kingston, Jamaica, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He shared with the students his humble beginnings and the opportunities chess has given him. “I’ve traveled all around the world, and I’ve met many famous people,” he said.

The 10-week chess program is free to students. Sponsors hope it will engage hundreds of students in once-a-week chess club events. Not only is chess a challenging game, but the type of thinking involved empowers players and strengthens their decision-making skills.

“I’m excited about this opportunity for our students,” said Joseph Davis, the district’s superintendent. “It’s a terrific chance to instill confidence in our children and provide them with lifelong skills that will enable future success.”

“You are great students, you have great minds, and you can be whatever you want to be,” Dr. Davis told the students.

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