For many young chess players, competing at the National Scholastic Chess Championships represents the pinnacle of their school chess journey. It’s more than just a tournament, it’s a celebration of hard work, teamwork, and passion for the game. Students from across the country gather to test their skills, meet new friends, and represent their schools and communities on one of the biggest stages in scholastic chess.

As the new school year begins, Chess in the Schools (CIS) students and instructors are already hard at work preparing for this exciting event. Several of our partner schools have made Nationals an annual tradition, and the road to get there starts early — with lessons, practice games, and a shared commitment to growth both on and off the board.

Behind every student and every team stands a dedicated CIS Instructor, a mentor, teacher, and motivator who guides them not only through tactics and openings, but through the mental and emotional challenges of competition.

To learn more about this journey, we sat down with CIS instructor Yury Lapshun, who teaches at P.S/I.S. 180 in Brooklyn, to talk about what it takes to prepare his students for Nationals and what going to Nationals means for them. 

1. Getting Started

• How long have you been an instructor with Chess in the Schools, and how did you get started teaching chess?

Yury: I’ve been with Chess in the Schools for more than 25 years. I started a long time ago. Back then, I worked three hours in each school — three schools total. There was no College Bound program yet, just teaching chess in the classrooms. It was a long time ago, maybe 1998 or 2000.

• What do you enjoy most about working with your school’s chess team?

Yury: I like when my students go to Nationals. My school, P.S. 180, always goes. We don’t have the chess club open right now because of funding, but students still come to tournaments. They want to play.

2. Preparing for Nationals

• What does preparation for Nationals look like for your team, both in the classroom and beyond?

Yury: All my students play in tournaments before Nationals. Mr. Moy helps a lot, without him, it would be hard to run things. The students get good practice by playing strong players.

• What are some specific strategies or exercises you use to help students prepare for high-pressure games?

Yury: I teach them openings and how to think in the early part of the game. We also use Lichess so they can play and study online. Before Nationals, I help them review and practice as much as possible.

• How do you keep students motivated during the long months leading up to Nationals?
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Yury: They like to win trophies. They also know that if they work hard, they can go to Nationals for free. That keeps them focused.

Over the years, we’ve had good results — three national team championships in four years: under 900, under 1400, and under 1400 again. We’ve also had three individual national champions.

3. The Experience of Nationals

• What does it mean to your students to travel and compete on a national stage?

Yury: For many kids, it’s the first time leaving New York. Nationals are in a different state every year — one year in Orlando, then Atlanta, then Texas. It’s expensive, but the trip gives them new experiences.

Most of them don’t travel much, so visiting a new place is special. We also prepare them for College Bound. Many of my students move on to that program after middle school.

• How does the team dynamic change once the students are at Nationals?

Yury: They work harder. They understand it’s serious. The school pays a lot for the trip, so they know it’s important to do their best.

• What is the most memorable moment you’ve had with your students at Nationals — either on or off the board?

Yury: I remember one girl, Ashley. Two years ago, she was a beginner. When we went to Atlanta, she lost many games but still tried hard. The next year, she went again and did much better — she became a High School National Champion and scored five points for her team.

• How do you help students handle both victories and losses during the tournament?

Yury: I tell them every tournament is a learning process. There’s always a next time. If they win too much in one section, I move them to a stronger one. They need new challenges to keep improving.

4. The Role of the Instructor

• What’s the most rewarding part of taking your team to Nationals each year?

Yury: Seeing progress. Many students start with me in third grade, then go to P.S. 180, then Nationals, then College Bound. I see how they move from one level to another.

• How do you think the experience of Nationals helps shape your students — as players and as people?

Yury: At Nationals, they learn new things and meet people from other states. They see different schools, accents, and ways of thinking. Even in local tournaments — in the Bronx, Queens, or Chinatown — they already experience many cultures, but Nationals is the same, just much bigger. At P.S. 180, we have many students — Chinese, Hispanic, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Some families have three or four kids playing at once. All of this helps them grow. I tell them to take their time, stay focused, and keep learning from every game.

5. Reflection and Advice

• What lessons do you hope your students take away from this experience?

Yury: It doesn’t matter what results they get. What matters is that they work hard and gain experience .At P.S. 180, we have many students — Chinese, Hispanic, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Some families have three or four kids playing at once. I tell them to take their time, stay focused, and keep learning from every game.

• What advice would you give to other instructors who are preparing their students for Nationals?

Yury: Don’t focus only on winning. Give students good experiences. Help them learn to work hard and stay consistent.

• How do you celebrate your team’s achievements after the tournament?

Yury: After Nationals, the school gives them pizza and ice cream. The school spoils them after nationals. 

• Looking ahead, what are your hopes for your students and your chess program?

Yury: I want the students to keep going — from elementary school to middle school to College Bound. Nationals is just one step in that path.