Tiffany Liao

Staff Writer

Instead of playing against students of the same age group, members of the Cal High Chess Club have developed fond memories and chess strategies while competing against Twin Creeks elementary students this year.

Twin Creeks Principal Barbara Mallon came up with the idea of the friendly competition between the students, while Lynn De Moor, a third grade teacher and also a GATE coordinator, has helped make it happen.

Twin Creeks Elementary School students must be members of the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program in order to compete with the high schoolers from the Cal Chess Club.

“I wanted to make this opportunity a reality for the GATE students of Twin Creeks, ” said Mallon.

De Moor said only students who score within a 98-99 percentage score on the Cognitive Abilities Test (CoGat) qualify for GATE. The test is given to students in the second grade.

Through a relationship with Assistant Principal Damon Wright, Mallon was connected with Special Ed teacher David Futterman to set things up.

“Twin Creeks came here twice already, and will be coming five times this year,” said Futterman.

Most of the Twin Creeks students who come to compete are between third grade to fifth grade. All of the students have different experience with Chess.

“(My grandpa) taught me incorrectly,” third grader Berkley Pelletier said.  “He mixed (the playing pieces) all up.”

Fourth grader Nathan Sears learned chess from his family as well.

“My dad and godfather both played, and they taught me correctly,” said Sears.

Fifth grader Sabrina Zhong is one of the few that did not learn chess previously before coming to play against Cal High students.

It only took her three classes to grasp the concept of the game, and she now enjoys the freedom the game provides.

 The competition has provided students from both schools the chance to shine, as well as to share and develop new skills.

Futterman is extremely impressed by the Twin Creek students’ performance.

“The kids are extremely bright,” said Futterman. “More than one has beaten some hard chess club members. They are very competitive.”

Freshman Chess Club member Brandon Sigamony, was also blown away by the students from Twin Creeks.

“When I was in their grade, I wasn’t nearly as good as they are,” said Sigamony.

The benefits of the competition also include the development of leadership skills for the students from the Chess Club.

Anurag Bhyravajjula, a freshman and the president of the club, helps the Twin Creeks students by teaching them.

“We’re helping elementary kids develop,” said Bhyravajjula, “Some know how to play, and some don’t know. We help to improve their chess skills. ”

Sigamony said the purpose of the competition is to teach younger kids techniques that will help them gain experience while playing.

The interaction also helps to develop the sportsmanship needed in the game of Chess.

“If kids are messing up completely, you have to try to correct them,” said freshman Abhiram Ilindra, the vice president of the club.

Most importantly, the interaction allows students from both schools to gain more experience and practice playing chess.

“(I got) more time to practice,” said Sigamony. “I learn about new things. I’m getting a little bit better. Every time you play chess, your talents get bigger and bigger.”

Twin Creeks students said they have learned many different things during the interactions and competitions at Cal.

Sears said he is developing more social skills by playing and getting to know other people.

Pelletier said he discovered that he is good enough to beat high school students.

“I learned that some high school kids can beat me, and I can beat some high school kids,” said Pelletier.

Mallon has witnessed the changes in the elementary students since the program began earlier this year, and she appreciates the opportunity her students have been given to play at Cal.

“I noticed from the beginning of our partnership this year with Cal High that they walk a little taller on days of Cal High chess, robotics, and other events,” Mallon said.  “Twin Creeks students and families value this partnership and realize how blessed we are to have this connection,” said Mallon.

The Chess Club meets every Wednesday and Friday during lunch in room 210. Anyone interested in playing Twin Creeks students can meet today or June 6.