NYC Child chess champions relish win over hundreds of competitors

UPPER WEST SIDE (WABC) -- Chess is part of the curriculum in the Success Academy charter school network, and these young players are among the best.

"I feel good about winning the national championship because we got a big trophy," said chess team member Aidan Kuo

2nd grader Kuo and his teammates from the Upper West Side Success Academy won a 'very' big trophy, in the kindergarten through third grade division, at this month's tournament in Dallas, Texas.

"I feel really good, and kind of relieved that it's over 'cause it's hard, but it was still really fun" said Maia Cooper, another team member.

Their chess teacher at Success Academy, Tanisha Millan found it easy to prepare the high-achieving students.

"It wasn't hard preparing them because they love chess and they love extra work so it was easy."

The preparation may have been easy but that doesn't mean winning was too-it meant going against hundreds of competitors, outscoring them on the number of games won.

A fact not lost on Matthew Morales, another Success Academy chess teacher.

"Any division, national championship, is very, very difficult to accomplish."

Morales coaches the "Bronx-one" Success Academy team, which won third place in the k-through-sixth grade division.

Students say chess helps them learn time management, and more.

"It helps me, like, think better in daily life," said Immanuel Garcia.

The players look forward to future competition.