Meet Derek Jin ’25 — chess aficionado, mentor, humorist.
How long have you been playing chess, and how did you first become interested in the game?
When I was five, I saw a crowd of spectators swarming around a chess hustler in Harvard Square. Through a flurry of hands and pieces, a wooden rook was flung from the board and landed a few paces from me. As I watched the miniature oak castle—worn and dented as though it had been plucked straight from a medieval siege—I knew I needed to learn everything I could about this erudite game.
Could you clarify the difference between the chess club and the chess team at Nobles?
The chess team refers to a specific segment of the chess club participating in the annual chess matches for the South Shore Interscholastic Chess League (SSICL) each winter. The chess club represents a much broader community of chess enthusiasts at Nobles who offer us encouragement and support, regardless of whether they play in official matches.
How long have you been involved in the chess club/team at Nobles?
I have been a part of the Nobles chess team since 7th grade when I supplanted the passionate, savvy, and charismatic (but also hapless and blunder-prone) senior captain Alex Bao as the team’s top player. I served as team captain in 10th and 11th grade, and this year I am the club president. Since joining Nobles, I’ve played in 41 of the 47 matches, with an overall record of 40 wins and one draw.
How has your experience as a member of the chess club informed or impacted your overall experience at Nobles?
When I first came to Nobles, I was struck by how the chess club felt less like an activity and more like a home. During my tour, one of the chess team captains personally reached out to me to welcome me to Nobles. My experience as a chess club member has served as a bridge between me and the greater Nobles community, and has helped me form lifelong connections and friendships.
In what ways does the chess club help to build community and connection at Nobles?
As glamorous and enthralling as the game is, the true value of the chess club lies in our members and the light, joyful attitude they bring to the community. If you drop by Baker 100 on a given Tuesday morning, you will see students laughing at the table, joking about their blunders, and playfully tossing pieces around as they play (occasionally at the expense of the physics equipment). Sometimes it’s nice to be able to sit back, relax, and play some chess after a long and fulfilling academic day!
Nobles Chess: At a Glance
