“The Next Chapter” is an interview series featuring former Hope students sharing what they are up too now!
Recently we caught up with high schoolers Austin & Zoey Tang, two chess masters who first fell in love with the game at Hope Chinese Charter School’s Chess Club!
Getting Started
When we interviewed the Tang siblings, they were at a local chess tournament. In fact, Zoey and Austin were playing a practice games with young elementary students. As Oregon’s first and only Womens Grandmaster, Zoey recognizes that she can inspire young girls to keep pursuing their interest in chess. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that she got her start at Hope Chinese Charter School.
The Tang Family heard about Hope Chinese Charter School from friends and entered Zoey into the lottery for first grade. A year later, Zoey’s classmate invited her to join the new HCCS Chess Club. Thanks to good friends and free-flowing fruit snacks, Zoey kept coming back and found she really enjoyed playing chess.
2017 HCCS Chess Team
Chess Champions
Within a few years, HCCS Chess Club was winning chess tournaments left and right, with Zoey’s younger brother Austin joining the team. Of course, the Tang siblings benefitted from playing with several strong players in the chess club, including Brayden Wang, Ademidun Adebolu, Aidan Chan, Jamie Tan, Jackson Compton, Kevin Boriboonsomsin and so many more.
Today, the HCCS Chess Club is still going strong and playing hard to add more trophies to our display case in the front lobby. Hope parents Michael Herring and Robert Barry, coordinate team activities and work alongside Rose City Chess who provides chess coaches at all levels.
Every January, HCCS Chess Club hosts the MLK Chess Tournament here at our school, which is a USCF rated event and State Championship qualifier.
While Austin & Zoey have reached great heights in their pursuit of the perfect game, they have not forgotten their time with the HCCS Chess Club.
In fact, they have a few words of encouragement for current HCCS Chess Club members and any student at Hope who may be thinking about joining!
Interested in the HCCS Chess Club?
Contact Mike & Robert and [email protected]
