For the students of I.S. 180K, the road to the National Scholastic Chess Championships is full of late nights, tricky puzzles, and countless games, but it’s also full of friendship, teamwork, and moments they’ll never forget. Every move on the board is part of a bigger journey, one that challenges them to think, focus, and push past their limits.

This is more than just a tournament. It’s an experience that these students carry with them long after the last game is played, a memory of working toward something bigger than themselves, of learning how to stay calm under pressure, and of celebrating small victories along the way. Their school works hard to make this journey possible, providing dedicated coaches, structured practice sessions, and a support system that includes teachers, teammates, and families. Every puzzle solved, every strategy discussed, and every match played brings them one step closer to Nationals — and one step closer to growing as players and as people.

We spoke with Jaden, Jayden, Michelle, Ashley, and Ryan to follow their road to Nationals, hear what motivates them, and see how they’re learning, improving, and enjoying the journey together.

1. Getting Ready for Nationals

Q: Have you been to Nationals before?

Jaden: Yeah, I’ve been before. It was a lot of fun.
Jayden: No, not yet, but I’ve heard a lot about it from my brother.
Michelle: Yeah, I went last time. It was a really big experience for me.
Ashley: Yep, I’ve been too. It was exciting.
Ryan: Not yet, but I really hope I get to go soon.

Q: For those who have, what was your first Nationals like?

Jaden: It was super cool. I got to stay in the hotel with my friends, and we played so many chess games. Everything felt bigger and more exciting than school tournaments.
Michelle: I felt really excited — it was my first time at something that big. I was a little nervous too, but mostly it was just fun and a good experience.
Ashley: My first Nationals was in Atlanta. I was excited more than nervous, and it helped that my parents could visit me at the hotel. That made me feel comfortable.

Q: What was your favorite part?

Jaden: Just hanging out and playing with my friends. That made it more fun than just playing chess.
Michelle: Honestly, probably the food. It might sound funny, but it felt like a reward for all the hard work.
Ashley: Winning my first game. I didn’t expect to win, so I felt really proud of myself.

2. Training and Strategy

Q: How did you prepare for Nationals or tournaments?

Jaden: I worked on a bunch of puzzles and studied by myself. I also looked back at games I’d played before to see what I could do better.
Michelle: Mentally, Coach Yury taught me to focus on my breathing if I got stressed. And for chess, I did puzzles and played against other students to practice.
Ashley: I practiced puzzles, played with teammates who were stronger than me, and memorized patterns so I could be ready during the games.
Ryan: I spend about an hour and a half practicing — I do puzzles, work through my books, and practice tactics and positional strategies.
Jayden: At home, I do tactic drills and play games on Lichess or Chess.com. I also try to go to tournaments to see new strategies and play against different people.

Q: How do you deal with opponents who are stronger than you?

Jaden: Nationals players are way stronger, so it’s challenging, but I try to learn from every game, even when I lose.
Ashley: I remind myself that winning or losing isn’t the most important part — it’s what I learn. I take deep breaths so I can stay calm.
Ryan: I challenge myself by playing the top players on the team or even teachers. It’s tough, but it helps me get better fast.

3. Mental Preparation

Q: How do you stay motivated and focused during tournaments?

Jaden: I make sure I sleep enough and eat well so I don’t get tired or lose focus during games.
Michelle: Breathing exercises really help me calm down when I start to stress. It makes thinking clearly a lot easier.
Ashley: Going to tournaments with my friends keeps me motivated. We cheer each other on, and it’s nice to celebrate little wins together.
Ryan: Our coaches give us videos, study books, and tips for mental prep. That really helps me stay focused and ready for anything.

4. Teamwork and Motivation

Q: What do you like most about being on the team?

Jaden: I like learning from my friends and improving together. We all push each other to get better.
Jayden: Hanging out with teammates and watching how they play helps me grow and learn new moves.
Michelle: It’s not just the games — I love spending time with the team outside of school too. We get closer and it’s fun.
Ashley: Being one of the only girls on the team is cool because we get to bond a lot, especially in hotel rooms or just talking chess strategies.
Jaden: Nationals helped me get closer to my friends, which made the team feel stronger overall.

Q: Is there anything from your coaches or teachers that really sticks with you?

Michelle: They taught me to focus on breathing when I’m stressed — it really helps during tough games.
Ryan: They give us strategies for both chess and mental prep, which is super helpful.
Ashley: Mr. Moy and coach Yury always push us to stay disciplined and motivated. Their advice really matters.

5. Looking Ahead

Q: What are your goals for Nationals (or for chess in general)?

Jaden: I want to do well individually, but I also want to enjoy the experience — not just focus on winning.
Jayden: My main goal is to have fun. Winning would be great, but playing well and enjoying it is the most important.
Michelle: I’m aiming for at least five points — it’s a challenge, but I know I can do it if I stay focused.
Ashley: I want to get more points than I did in my last two Nationals. I want to see how much I’ve improved.
Ryan: If I go, I hope to earn an individual award — maybe even win my section.