Castling and Camaraderie in Thomas Sharp Library
Thomas Sharp Elementary School principal Joe Gurcsik doles out snacks and strategy in equal amounts, teaching fourth- and fifth-grader Chess Club members the joy of the game.
An endgame is unfolding in the library of Thomas Sharp Elementary. In between bites of soft pretzel, Eva Vanlaar, 9, is marshalling her forces against Lourdes Gonzalez, also 9. Seated at the head of their table, crossing guard Don Canning offers advice in equal parts to both. “This one’s got the potential to be a grandmistress,” he says, indicating Vanlaar. Canning knows talent. He used to play against ranked opponents in Collingswood back when there was an active chess club for players his own age. “I took my lumps and learned a lot,” he says. As the three look over the board, Thomas Sharp Principal and Collingswood Elementary Chess Club adviser Joe Gurcsik reminds the room of the afternoon's tutorial on how to avoid a stalemate. But he …
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