HerMoveNext | TD Helen

CHESS : COMMUNITY : COMPETITION

Her League 2021-2022 | Senior Club TD Helen is currently a student at Baruch College. She first started playing chess as a fourth grader at PS503 in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. It wasn't until fifth grade that she played in tournaments. She went to a middle school that didn't have a chess club or team and was only able to play in a few tournaments on Saturdays. After graduating middle school, she went to Staten Island Technical High School, which had a chess club and team. However, due to the location of the school, most members were unwilling to play in tournaments. Just when she thought that was the end of her chess hobby, Chess in the Schools reached out to her and offered her a spot in the College Bound program. From there, she started playing in tournaments again. This opportunity led to many more opportunities.

One thing she learned from Chess in the Schools is tournament directing. Although she still went to the same tournaments, she started noticing a lot more things she didn’t before. In the past, she never thought about who set up the boards, and why all the boards were numbered. She started seeing all the tournament directors in a new light. The rules on tournaments fascinated her. Watching the TDs work were sometimes more fascinating than her own game. At one point, she started noticing other players making illegal moves instead of focusing on her own games. She decided that it was fun to be a tournament director. And so, she became a TD, only occasionally playing at a few events.

After graduating high school and leaving Chess in the Schools, Helen joined ICN, where she coaches kids as a part time job on weekdays. On weekends, she continues her TD work, being an assistant TD. At ICN, Helen learned about being a computer TD. Now, Helen runs quads at ICN, Octagons, and monthly tournaments (pre- COVID). About a year ago, Helen was introduced and got the opportunity to be the computer TD for Her Move Next, and this is where she is today.