This is an inspiring DVD which chronicles a remarkable school and remarkable students, the students at IS 318 in Brooklyn play chess and happen to play it very well. Several students participate in the Junior High Chess Championships, some on a national level. We see in this documentary the various students with talents who must overcome setbacks and even defeat if they are going to move ahead with their lives and dreams and goals of going to a good high school and college. The DVD also features other schools and their chess program.

You meet a teen girl named Rochelle who wants to be the first African American girl to be a “Master” in chess. You also meet Patrick, Alexis, Justus and Pobo as well as others and you learn their struggles and see their triumphs. A comment worth remembering is that, at this school, the geeks are the athletes! We also meet the principal, Mr. Rubino, and a teacher that is the kind that inspires her students, Ms. Vicary.

We see the school fight back when faced with major cutbacks and you will be amazed at this school’s resourcefulness. We highly recommend this DVD. If not for a few utterances of language, the DVD would be recommended for all ages. As it stands, we recommend it for ages twelve plus and we are pleased to award it our Dove Seal and five Doves, our best rating. Watch this one soon and be inspired!