Teen Chess Champion Teaches Older Adults How to 'Checkmate'

Older adults are always looking to learn new things, so it came as no surprise when residents at Friendship Village of Bloomington wanted to learn the game of chess. The 1,500-year-old game is a tough one to learn, but the thrill of yelling ‘checkmate’ makes the time spent learning worthwhile.

What’s unusual about this new chess group at the Bloomington senior living community is the teacher. He’s a 17-year-old kid. Connor Quinn is a junior at The Blake School and a chess expert, who last year, placed 30th at the United States Chess Federation National High School Chess Tournament.

After Connor’s grandfather passed away last year, he wanted to spend more time with older adults, playing a game the two of them enjoyed together. So, earlier this month, he started teaching that class, which meets every Tuesday at 4 p.m. at the community.

When most teens are busy playing video games or on their smartphones, Connor is sticking with tradition. Chess is a game for the ages, and the intergenerational group is living proof that you’re never too old to learn, and you’re never too old to bond with today’s youth.