In 4th grade, Rishi Sethi felt as if he were the only child in Barrington who enjoyed chess.
It was a lonely pursuit. So with some help from his mother, Kiran Frey, he launched a chess club at Grove Avenue Elementary School. Seven years later, what started out as a small club has expanded to comprise nearly 300 students in seven schools in Barrington Community District 220.
“We have a chess club in almost every single school in the district,” Rishi said, now 17 and a junior at Barrington High School.
Kid-to-kid training is one of the reasons for the program’s success. About 15 high-school-age volunteers coach younger chess players after school, offering tips to students from 1st graders to middle schoolers.
Barrington resident Yury Shulman, once ranked among the top 100 chess players worldwide, oversees the teenage coaches and offers tips.
Chess helps students improve memory and develop winning strategies, Rishi said.
“You’re looking at the board so much, and there’s patterns and different moves you see. It just starts clicking in your brain,” Rishi said. “
Chess also requires concentration, which can help students learn mental discipline, said fellow chess enthusiast Michael Guzy, a 17-year-old Barrington High senior.
“The disciplined mindset you learn from chess helps you keep on track,” Michael said.
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