The Champions' Game

by SaulRamirez, John Seidlitz

The Champions' Game( A True Story) <> Paperback <> SaulRamirez <> CanterPress

Genres: Nonfiction, Adult, Biography

200 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2017

Reviews

[Robert Spillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Champion's Game" is a true, uplifting documentary on how a middle school art teacher took a group of young, poor, and non-confident "border" students in El Paso, Texas to state, then national chess championships.

The story evolves nicely and is hard to stop reading, even when you know the final conclusion. Saul Ramirez accomplishes the impossible with hard work, dedication, and strong belief in his students. He attributes part of his success in tying chess to real life lessons. The pawns are the thugs kids see around school. Don't take your eye off of them. Cherish the queen and protect the king. And so on. But the real reason is his dedication to the students.

The story is fun to read and is inspirational in that the author/subject is challenged from many directions along the way in achieving the national championship for the student's division. The students' celebration in their expensive hotel sets the stage for some pranks/lessons that the chaperones set up to calm them down.

You'll enjoy this short book filled with lessons and adrenaline.

[Carolyn Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational true story of middle school children from a penurious background in El Paso, Texas that beat the odds to become national chess champions. Receiving tutelage from their tenacious coach, Saul Ramirez, he himself a chess champion with an akin upbringing.

The reader is treated to how purpose was instilled and nurtured in Ramirez’s life during his formative years and how that foundation was built upon and fostered to the next generation. Using the principles of chess and relating it to life Ramirez and his protégés achieve great triumphs. This story reminds me of “Lean on Me” (1989) and “Stand and Deliver” (1988) movies. It should be on the cinematic screen too.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading books about chess and how it affects the lives of those who play the game. In this story of the Henderson Middle School from El Paso, Texas is about a group of middle schoolers from working class families became Texas state champions and then national champions.

Saul Ramirez details rules for chess and applies them to rules for life. He shows how he nurtured the young students' playing skills and life skills to become some of the best junior chess players in the nation.

I could see this book becoming a film just like The Queen of Katwe.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my English 4 class years ago and they ate it up! It’s an amazing book to use with teen boys specially those of color and you’re able to explore issues in perspective that means a woman would never understand and that way. They offered an amazing job explaining from a man’s perspective a teenagers perspective what a chess players perspective how the game of life is played, and how hard it is to make your next move and win. I would hope that every teacher and every father in America, would make this required reading.

[Alyx Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly inspirational story of unlikely heroes in an unlikely sport: chess. I loved hearing each of the player’s stories come to life. There were parts where I thought pieces of his story were a bit odd, and the parts about treating the girl on the team as a Queen rubbed me the wrong way, but Seidlitz told Ramirez’s truth. I would be curious to see if this book resonates with younger readers, because I felt it spoke more toward adults and educators.

[Marti · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I did not finish this book. It was kind of interesting but, to me, it read like a self-published book.

This is the story of an art teacher who takes a group of underprivileged middle schoolers from El Paso, TX to a chess championship and wins. It's a great underdog tale but I think unless they're already big chess fans, it won't appeal to many teens.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim at the library because our 10-year-old is into chess and it tells the story of an unlikely chess team from Texas going to nationals. The book organization and writing may be a little clunky at times, but the important thing is the overall story and it's a great story that's worth sharing.

[Patrick Trent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a middle school teacher in El Paso that inspires his students to get involved in chess to go to national chess tournament.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.