School of Rook: Stage House Writes Check for Chess

Chess, they say, is the game of kings. But last fall, the owners of the , an establishment located in a colonial-era building with ties to America's rebellion against royalty, made a $25,000 donation to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District for the purchase of chess sets for all second- and third-grade classes. 

“I was shocked as to how well it took off,” said Kathy Chaillet, general manager of the State House. “Kids can’t stop talking about it when they come in. It’s competition for kids [that's not] physical, but mental.”

Stage House owners Moshe Davidesko, Tom Britt and Eric Hambrecht made the donation as part of the "First Move" program, a nationwide effort led by America's Foundation for Chess to make the game an integral part of children's education. The program's supporters argue that chess helps children develop analytic, strategic, social and problem-solving skills, and can be tied to lessons in math, history reading and writing – and, of course, sportsmanship.

But don't tell the students – they've taken to the game with relish. "We get to learn how to play a new game," said Eric Devon Berkins, a third-grader at Brunner Elementary School. "It makes you think more, and you don’t have to win all the time.” 

Berkins said he also likes who he calls the "Chess Lady" – also known as Wendi Fischer, executive director of America's Foundation for Chess. In the DVD that was included with each class set of chess boards, Fischer offers lessons on techniques and strategy. 

"We watch it twice a week," Berkins said. "If the Chess Lady tells us to do something, we do what she says."

Parents have also proven enthusiastic about the program.

“The parents keep thanking us,” Chaillet, the general manager, said. “It excites me. I feel sometimes I can’t wait for my son" – age 6 – "to be in the program. It’s only a matter of time before others catch on.” 

Chaillet said that she and the owners are considering hosting a tournament at the restaurant, adding that she hopes to expand the program to other students in the district. "I’d even love to see if we could bring it to fourth graders,” she said.

The "First Move" program was hardly the Stage House's first foray into philanthropy. The restaurant regularly donates to fundraisers for the Center for Hope Hospice and the school district. For the owners of a building that was first constructed in 1684, community service is simply another part of its long history in Scotch Plains.

Hence, next time you head to the Stage House, whether for casual lunch at the Tavern, fine dining in the restaurant and wine-bar or "pay what you wish" barbecue this summer, don't be surprised when you see second- or third-grade students walking through the doors, happily clutching checkered chessboards under their arms.