Rochelle Ballantyne: The African-American Chess Girl to Watch
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2012
Hi everyone,
[:47] "I've never been the first anything so having that title next to my name is going to... it's going to feel amazing."
Ballantyne grew up in a single parent home in the working class neighborhood of East Flatbush. She first learned to play chess from her grandmother, who didn't want that background to limit or prevent her from reaching her fullest potential. Ballantyne did not disappoint.
[2:47] "When I push myself, then nothing can stop me."
When it came time for middle school she wound up at I.S. 318, an inner-city public school that is home to the best chess team in the entire United States. Assistant Principal John Galvin oversees the chess program.
[4:53] "Rochelle was one of our best players that we've ever had in our school. She won several individual national championships."
Her time at the middle school is featured in Brooklyn Castle, a documentary about the chess team released earlier this week.
It's made her a rising star in the world of chess.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Hi everyone,
Steve Kastenbaum has done a nice interview for the CNN of the first African-American girl who is set to become a chess master. She is also the star of Brooklyn Castle. Here is the report along with the audio.
Rochelle Ballantyne plays chess the same way she walks through the streets of New York, determined to reach her goal without letting any obstacles slow her down.
The 17 year old from Brooklyn is just a few wins away from becoming the first female African-American to attain the ranking of chess master.
Rochelle Ballantyne plays chess the same way she walks through the streets of New York, determined to reach her goal without letting any obstacles slow her down.
The 17 year old from Brooklyn is just a few wins away from becoming the first female African-American to attain the ranking of chess master.
[:47] "I've never been the first anything so having that title next to my name is going to... it's going to feel amazing."
Ballantyne grew up in a single parent home in the working class neighborhood of East Flatbush. She first learned to play chess from her grandmother, who didn't want that background to limit or prevent her from reaching her fullest potential. Ballantyne did not disappoint.
[2:47] "When I push myself, then nothing can stop me."
When it came time for middle school she wound up at I.S. 318, an inner-city public school that is home to the best chess team in the entire United States. Assistant Principal John Galvin oversees the chess program.
[4:53] "Rochelle was one of our best players that we've ever had in our school. She won several individual national championships."
Her time at the middle school is featured in Brooklyn Castle, a documentary about the chess team released earlier this week.
It's made her a rising star in the world of chess.
From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com
Don't miss Chess Queen™
YouTube Channel
Labels: brooklyn castle, rochelle ballantyne
posted by Chess Blog Admin @ 11:18 AM
3 Comments:
At October 28, 2012 at 10:42 AM ,
alexis cochran, nz said...
cool kids - all the best for rochelle her achievement is very important for her community
At October 29, 2012 at 11:29 AM ,
saira fernandes, madrid said...
all the best to the kid - great achievement
At October 31, 2012 at 9:57 AM ,
Amrit Puri, Knights Chess Club, New Delhi said...
she's going to become the first titled african girl wow thanks
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