The chess team came home proud, with a trophy in their hands.

                Edward R. Murrow HS Chess Team took the New York State High School Chess Championship on March 4 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. It marks the 15^th time that the chess team took the NY State Chess title.

                “When the announcers said our name for first place, we got excited,” said senior Markel Brown, one of the members.

                The team beat hundreds of New York state teams on the final round of the 2 -day tournament to take their first title since 2009.

Mr. Elliot Weiss, the chess team advisor, said he was shocked. He said the team hasn’t won a state title in three years and wasn’t expecting to take a home a title this time.

                “It was worth it to come home with a first place finish,” he said. “It was the best feeling.”

                Brown said he was ecstatic.

                “I felt like a sense of pride,” said Brown.  “It was so much joy.”

                Next for the chess team will be the Nationals in Minneapolis on April 12-15. They will be competing with other high school chess teams from all over the country.

                Senior Shabieko Ivy, a chess player, said that the team is ready for it.

                “We would bring our all,” said Ivy. “We would have the faith, determination, and drive that would lead us to first place just like in the NY State Championship.’’

                Mr. Weiss said he has a lot of confidence in the team, which is the same confidence that has given the chess team seven National Championship titles and a meeting with President George W. Bush in 2004.

                “We hope to take first place in the country,” said Mr. Weiss. “We want to shake hands with President Obama.”