By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
CHINATOWN — Checkmate!
A group of pint-sized Chinatown chess players from a local elementary school received a commendation from the city schools chief Tuesday for besting a field of elder competitors at a national tournament last month.
The Yung Wing School's "Panda Pawns," a team of chess players ranging from first- to fifth-graders, captured the crown at the U.S. Chess Federation's 2011 High School Championship in Nashville, Tenn., after emerging victorious in city and state contests earlier this year.
In honor of their win — the Pawns became the first elementary school in history to win a national competition at the high school level — Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott joined Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in visiting the record-setting gamers at their Division Street school.
"We're proud of you guys and everything you've done," Walcott told the dozen or so players and their instructors, while Silver delivered an Assembly Proclamation to the Pawns to mark the victory. "We're really happy to see you doing so well at the school."
The team from Yung Wing had some experience facing older competitors prior to the national championship, as they had to square off against students from middle and high school in separate city and state contests leading up to the nationwide contest.
"We didn't want anyone doubting us," said Ashely Ip, 10, a Yung Wing fifth-grader who upset a high-school senior in Nashville. "We felt really proud of ourselves that our hard work paid off."
Chess is integrated into the curriculum at Yung Wing, where the game is played during school hours by third- and fourth-graders to sharpen their minds and social skills.
"I think it's one of those games where we can teach etiquette and really teach them to think strategically," said assistant principal Yi Law Chan, who helps coordinate the school's chess program. "This is sort of activity for the brain, and I think the kids really enjoy that."
Chan explained that one high-school student got so frustrated after a loss to his much-younger competitor that he stormed off.
"You really have to concentrate and focus," added Ip, noting her final match lasted three hours. "When you beat a 12th-grader it really feels good, because it proves you can do anything."
State Sen. Daniel Squadron and City Councilwoman Margaret Chin also attended the event, praising the youngsters for their perseverance.
"One day when you grow up, you can take Margaret's job," Sheldon Silver told the students, adding, that they'd face tough competition for the seat.
"I'll still be here," he joked.
