His Next Move

Video

At the Chess Tournament

Highschool freshman Marte Garner competed May 17, 2008 in the 'Bum Rush the Boards' chess tournament, designed to promote the idea of strategic struggle to the hip-hop generation.

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The mother rushes the daughter out of the rec center, a queen protecting her pawn.

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Thursday, two days before the tournament and in the room where the Urban Arts Academy gathers, a painted golden dragon is swimming up and down the wall near the blackboard. An admonition is written in red paint above the door: "Know Thyself."

The lesson for the day is on the board: "Which saying do you think is true? A: Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me! Or, B: Words are weapons used to shoot down or build up."

In walks Dequan Smith, 12, a sixth-grade student at William Hall Elementary; Jamal Garner, 13, a sixth-grader at Shaed; and Marte. Jamal and Marte are cousins and best friends.

Deane asks them about the lesson on the board.

Marte reads the blackboard. "What do you mean, using your weapon?"

Deane explains: "Some people think words can be used against you. Some people think words won't hurt you, like sticks and stones. Which do you think is true?"

Marte squints: "Sticks and stones can't break my bones."

"Yes, they can!" Jamal says.

"No!" Marte argues. "What kind of stick do you think will hurt me? A stick is not a limb. Sticks can't hurt nobody. . . . That has nothing to do with chess."

Deane probes deeper: "You say this has nothing to do with chess. But what if you sit across from somebody in the tournament, and they say, 'Marte, where you from?' And you say, 'D.C.' And they might say, 'You from D.C.? People in D.C. can't play chess.' "