Bed-Stuy Chess Champs Take Second Place In National Tournament

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — A team of Bed-Stuy chess queens took second place in a national tournament that drew students from some of the most elite schools in the nation.

Success Academy Bed-Stuy Middle School beat out eight other schools to win second prize in the Under 14 Division of the All-Girls National Chess Championship in Chicago this weekend, the school announced.

Eighth graders Geah Jean Baptiste claimed fourth in her division and Jessica Hyatt —who recently claimed the top prize at the New York State Chess Championship — tied for the seventh position, Success Academy officials said.

Hyatt, ranked among the top ten black women chess players in the U.S., hopes to be the first African-American female chess master, her teachers said.

The team's next tournament could be the 2019 National Junior High Championship in Texas. Success Academy will send two of its top three ranked teams and, currently, the Bed-Stuy Middle School girls team is third.

The girls' chess teacher, Tyrell Harriott, is optimistic.

“I’m thrilled with the team’s performance," said Harriott. “Next up, Junior High Nationals!”