Chess Team from Bard High School Early College Baltimore Heads to Nationals for the First Time Since Before the Pandemic

Shawn Means still remembers his first chess game back in person. The senior at Bard High School Early College Baltimore sat across from his teammate Aavo McClafferty earlier this year after numerous missed opportunities due to the coronavirus pandemic. Before COVID, the pair would play regularly at school. The opportunity to return to playing chess over-the-board has been a signal of normalcy for these students. Now, along with teams from two other Baltimore schools, the BHSEC students will get to take their beloved in-person chess games to the 2022 National High School Championships in Memphis, Tennessee. The entire trip is paid for by grant funding secured by the Baltimore Kids’ Chess League.

Post Date: 04-05-2022