The Pawn Who Would Be Queen: The Story of Alabama’s First National Champions

Rudyard Kipling's The Man Who Would be King is about two former British soldiers who attempt to seek fame and fortune in colonial India. The Pawn Who Would be Queen is about a small school in Alabama seeking notoriety on the chess board. Starting the chess program from scratch, the school captured the State Championship within two years and a National Championship within five. How did they do this, routinely playing much larger schools in a state not known for its chess prowess? This is that story, along with how the program has sustained excellence in subsequent years, including competing internationally. The story concludes with lessons learned that apply far beyond the chess board to most any type of program, as well as resources that are available for starting a program of your own. What can chess do for your school and your children?