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Dalton News
Dalton Chess Team Plays Online Match with Brazil
Conceived by Women’s International Master and FIDE Vice President Beatriz Marinello and endorsed by DGI (Dalton Global Initiatives) to foster global experiences for Dalton students, the match forged new international bonds between players, parents and teachers alike. Ms. Marinello, one of the stars of the Dalton coaching staff, suggested competing with the Bom Jesus School, one of the leading schools in Brazil. Brazilian television ran an extensive story about the game.
For the past three weeks, the Dalton chess parents, led by Gina Sohn, Eileen Furukawa and Peggy Yih, along with Scott Lerner and Paul Zimmerman in our technology department, had been planning the details of the match, covering everything from finding Brazilian flags to fly, downloading the special software for the match and ordering pizza for the children after the games.
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For the past three weeks, the Dalton chess parents, led by Gina Sohn, Eileen Furukawa and Peggy Yih, along with Scott Lerner and Paul Zimmerman in our technology department, had been planning the details of the match, covering everything from finding Brazilian flags to fly, downloading the special software for the match and ordering pizza for the children after the games.
A serious Internet connection problem in Brazil delayed the match. The group was on the verge of having to cancel the match when cyberspace finally turned friendly.
With the aid of Paul Zimmerman, who finally established a solid Skype connection, a continent apart, the players on both sides we able to introduce themselves. The Brazilians gathered in front of their flag, with an American flag beside it, while our players stood in front of the stars and stripes, waving Brazilian flags. Smiles abounded on our respective screens with this great display of mutual respect. After the playing of our national anthems, a big cheer went up on both continents, and they were ready to play.
But there was yet one more glitch in the proceedings. Because of the long delay in getting started, the server at the Internet Chess Club had cancelled our match. Beatriz went to work on the computers, and somehow managed to find a way to circumvent the confusion. Finally the games began.
Dalton won the first game and the next five as well, before the first loss was recorded. By the end of Round One, the score stood Dalton 12, Bom Jesus 2. In the second round, the Brazilians kept their original team and we played our second set of students. Again, Dalton led, this time by a score of 11 ½ - 2 ½.
Dalton won the first game and the next five as well, before the first loss was recorded. By the end of Round One, the score stood Dalton 12, Bom Jesus 2. In the second round, the Brazilians kept their original team and we played our second set of students. Again, Dalton led, this time by a score of 11 ½ - 2 ½.
Good sportsmanship and international camaraderie were the rule of the day, as our children and theirs established bonds over the boards.
There is no doubt that we are onto something big here. The world got a little smaller as the U.S. and Brazil were brought together in one room over a virtual chess board. Our players (from Kindergarten to 6th Grade) had the great privilege of a priceless experience that we hope will be the first of many more as the Dalton Chess Team forges more global connections, exchanges and friendships through matches like this.
Story by David MacEnulty
Story Contributor Gina H. Sohn
Photo contributor, Lawrence Freitag
Story by David MacEnulty
Story Contributor Gina H. Sohn
Photo contributor, Lawrence Freitag
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