Checkmate: A Chess Program for African-American Male Adolescents

Authors

  • Mikhail Korenman International Educational and Cultural Services, Inc.
  • Tamara Korenman Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL
  • Elena Lyutykh Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illiois

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18251/ijme.v11i1.186

Keywords:

culturally responsive teaching, chess, African-American male

Abstract

This investigation looked at the influence of a chess program on adolescents’ attitudes towards schooling at an alternative charter school in a high-risk urban context. Participants included school administrators, subject teachers, and 15 chess players, all of whom were African American male students from low-income backgrounds. Interview data revealed that the game of chess had a positive impact on the adolescents’ attitudes toward schooling in a number of ways by: (1) engaging these adolescents in interactions with a supportive school professional, (2) having the students socialize in a violence-free environment, and (3) providing students with opportunities to explore life beyond their neighborhood.

Author Biographies

Mikhail Korenman, International Educational and Cultural Services, Inc.

Mikhail Korenman, Ph.D., teaches science and coaches chess at an inner-city alternative charter school. Internationally recognized as a chess organizer, he applies his knowledge and skills to teach chess to the students at risk of academic failure. He believes that the game of chess is beneficial for players of all levels and of all ages. Promoting chess as an intellectually challenging game, he conducts workshops and publishes manuals for chess coaches and chess players. Dr. Korenman also developed guidelines for including chess as a curriculum component. He is interested in evaluating the impact of chess on student learning.

Tamara Korenman, Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL

Tamara Korenman, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Education at Saint Xavier University. She leads the Secondary Education Program, teaches courses on methodology of teaching in the middle and secondary school, and coordinates collaborative efforts of school-partners located in the metropolitan area. Her research interests include cultural characteristics of urban schools, culturally responsive curriculum, and teaching practices that motivate adolescents at risk for academic failure to stay in schools.

Elena Lyutykh, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illiois

Elena Lyutykh is a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Psychology at Northern Illinois University. Her research interests include cultural influences on adolescent development, socio-cultural foundations of critical thinking, and qualitative research methods.

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Published

2009-03-20

How to Cite

Korenman, M., Korenman, T., & Lyutykh, E. (2009). Checkmate: A Chess Program for African-American Male Adolescents. International Journal of Multicultural Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.18251/ijme.v11i1.186

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2009): Open Theme Issue

Section

Articles (Peer-reviewed)