Love of Chess Begins Early at Holy Trinity

 

While some might say that five year olds are too young to learn the game, the school’s Kindergarten teacher and Early Childhood Program Director, Michelle McCalla, explained, “Kindergarteners are like sponges and love to learn. They are still very willing at this age to take risks.”

 

Studies show that chess has been proven to improve attention and concentration; enhance cognition, problem solving and math skills; improve emotional intelligence; and promote a general interest in learning.

 

Holy Trinity is so committed to the idea, it has brought in Chess Master Milos Bajsanski to teach the students proper techniques. Bajanski has been teaching chess to various age groups at Holy Trinity for many years. Named Accomplished U.S. National Master in 1996 and Coach of the Year in 2002 by the Florida Chess League, Bajanski has won more than 22 international and domestic tournaments, and coached more than 25 state chess champions.

 

Not only are the Kindergarteners getting better at chess, they are making improvements in other areas. “The students seem to focus better and for longer periods of time. They are learning how to solve problems as well as becoming more self-confident,” said McCalla.

 

The school also conducts a Chess Club each week for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade. The club recently played host to a chess tournament in which more than 135 students from throughout Brevard County participated. Holy Trinity came in first place in the K-Grade 3 division with Vikram Sabapathy winning the first place trophy and Kate Schwinn winning the “Biggest Upset” trophy. In the K-Grade 1 division, Kirin Reiter won the third place trophy and Luke Schwinn won fifth place. The school also won the right to display the “traveling pawn” until the next local tournament on May 7, 2016.

 

In April, fifth grader Abbie Shepard competed in the Rising Stars tournament (section A) and won first place with a clean sweep, winning all four games. This marked the second time Abbie swept the Rising Stars tournament, which is hosted by The Brevard Chess Center. Last year, Abbie competed at All-Girls Nationals in Chicago.

Each year, several Holy Trinity students compete at The Scholastic National Chess Tournament presented by The United States Chess Federation. Competitors include Lower School students Abbie Shepard and Austin Olivas, and Upper School students Savannah Olivas, Megan Mikuen, Sajan Gutta, and Thomas Stallard Jr. Thomas and Abbie also compete in tournaments in Orlando and Coral Springs, Fla., against other students as well as adults. 

 

For many Holy Trinity students, chess has become an educational but exciting hobby. As McCalla said, “If we start them young, they will love it for life.”