Ziggy Gleason with Jesus Andino. Coaches, female competitors, and guests, including HSC chess coach Laura Labucki; Marina Kroopneck, math teacher and host of chess club at New Haven Academy; Omnia Agour, New Haven Academy; Ciana Robinson, New Haven Academy; Jacqueline Bracey, honorary guest; Ju liette Bolancos, New Haven Academy; Blanka Filipczak, Hillhouse; and Sunhwa Chapman, Hillhouse math teacher and chess club instructor. Baseball cap turned backwards, eyes fixed in concentration behind his glasses, Ziggy Gleason contemplated his next move. All at once came a quick slide of the king and snap of the rook. Having secured his defense, he hit the time clock with a flourish. The scene was the foyer of Floyd Little Athletic Center on Wednesday morning. Ziggy, a sophomore at High School in the Community who learned chess from his mother at the age of six, had advanced to the second round of the first annual George S. Bracey Invitational Chess Tournament. Around him, locked in competition, were 70 other students from city and area high schools, including Hillhouse, Wilbur Cross, ESUMS, Riverside Academy, Metropolitan Business Academy, and Common Ground. The three-hour tournament, which had players engaged in 10-minute games, is the brainchild of Neil Richardson. A former juvenile judicial marshal, he’s the founder of the Games Academy, which has kids playing board games like chess and checkers as a way to provide an outlet and to improve problem-solving, strategic thinking, as well as memory and focus.  “Sports are important to our kids, and this is about also getting their minds strong,” said Richardson, who expressed gratitude to Hillhouse chess club coach (and Spanish teacher) Adesina DeYounge for his support. The emphasis on mental dexterity goes to the mission of the tournament, according to Ed Trimble, founder of S.P.O.R.T. Academy, a nonprofit organization that uses chess and sports, particularly basketball, to teach life skills and academic discipline to students in grades 1 through 8, and among the sponsors of the event. “This is about producing independent thinkers and future leaders of the next generation,” said Trimble, as competitors alternately leaned over boards and punched their time clocks. “Chess trains the brain to focus, it helps you keep calm under pressure, and always to be thinking one or two moves ahead.” Richardson named the tournament for George Bracey, who served for over three decades as a police officer in New Haven, gaining renown for his involvement in the city’s Police Athletic League, which brings together NHPD officers and youth through sports and mentoring. “George connected everything and everybody with the PAL,” said his widow, former Q House director Jacqueline Bracey, who was an honorary guest at the event. “He took kids on trips, taught them to swim, went into the schools to connect with youth who had issues. He made kids see that policemen were human and not something to be feared.” “You can see his influence,” said Richardson, gesturing at members of the police and fire departments, including their respective chiefs, offering tips and engaged in spirited competition. Brandon Ahl, who serves as club advisor to the ESUMS high school chess and gaming club, pronounced satisfaction with the tournament for its first go-round. “It’s a good opportunity for students to play over the board,” he said, as unofficial emcee Johnny Scafidi, director of community outreach and engagement at Dwight Hall At Yale, conferred with judges from S.P.O.R.T. Academy over the implications of a draw. Getting up from a table near him was Ciana Robinson, a senior at New Haven Academy who had just lost her match. “I love chess,” she said, but she hadn’t been playing as much as she’d like with her afterschool job. She took it on to help pay for college, where she’ll be studying early childhood education. “I’ll come back to it at some point.” Ciana was one of five female competitors. That’s in line with statistics showing women’s participation in international competition rising from 10 percent in 2020 to 16.5 percent in 2026. Hillhouse’s Blanka Filipczak advanced to the third and final round. A group of police officers watched her. “Wow,” said one, as she systematically took down her opponent. “Nice.” So did Juliette Bolanos of New Haven Academy. She joined the chess club last year. “Really fun,” she said. Then there was Peter Britto, a junior at Hillhouse. He started playing chess at 7 when a friend bought a chess set. A right fielder on the high school’s baseball team, he challenges himself with five-minute matches on the bus while traveling to away games. “I don’t play chess that much, but I just see the board,” said Peter, after dispatching his third-round adversary in minutes. At that moment came an audible groan. The tournament was winding down. The school buses were waiting outside. Richardson said the Board of Education had provided free bus transport. Another tournament is slated for October, this one with celebrity chess masters. “Checkmate,” someone called out, jumping up, fist in the air. Jacqueline Bracey (right), proud Hillhouse alum, with Hillhouse Principal Antoine Billy. Johnny Cooper, retired New Haven fire department battalion chief, competing against New Haven Police Chief David Zannelli. Cooper would prevail. The 2026 George S. Bracey invitational chess tournament winners, with coaches and organizers. Credit: Lisa Reisman photo The post “Checkmate!” High Schoolers Compete In Inaugural Citywide Chess Tournament appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less