The Rooks of Miami

These Rooks rule when it comes to chess

BY NICHOLAS SPANGLER
Posted on Tue, Jun. 03, 2008

School was almost over and with it the Edison Park Rooks’ season, which had, all things considered, been pretty great.

The trophy corner in the elementary school’s upstairs library is stuffed: one national title, a couple district and regional championships that paved the way for fifth place at the Florida Invitational Super Stars tournament and sixth place in the Open Division at states.

But this, as Mr. Charles pointed out, was no reason not to practice.

So here were the Rooks, sitting at the little desks in Mr. Charles’ art room at 4 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon with chess sets out and pieces clicking.

Some of them are going on to sixth grade next year, cause for concern for any sane fifth-grader. And if that fifth-grader uses a lot of SAT-style words, doesn’t care for sports of any sort and plays an ancient board game three hours a day?

Ooof.

”Torture,” said 12-year-old Milton Canton, the Rooks’ No. 1.

”Don’t remind me of the dreadful day,” said his best friend, Woody Jean-Louis, 11.

”I don’t know the place as well as this school,” said Luis Delacruz, 11. “And my friends — I don’t want to lose them.”

There was quiet for a while, as Sicilian Defenses developed and pawns sacrificed for the greater good. Milton leaned low over his board, slammed the queenside rook to the back rank; newspaper reporter beaten, he lost interest and looked around for fresh meat.

IN SHADOW OF I-95

Edison Park sits on the edge of Liberty City, in the shadow of Interstate 95. In FCAT parlance, it’s a ”C” school. Its students scored below the county mean in every subject test in every grade.

Rooks parents work as hotel maids, tow truck drivers and security guards, with a couple teachers and nurses thrown in the mix. Nine of every 10 Edison Park students receive free or reduced lunches.

Here is the full story.