The Chess Club at the Retirement Home

My son's middle school chess club partnered with the retirement community across the street this year. Every Thursday, eight kids and eight residents play together in the sunroom.

At first the kids were nervous. Then Mr. Feldman, who is ninety-two and was once a regional champion, beat three of them in a row and started giving them lessons with real delight. A former nurse named Gloria plays fast and trash-talks gently. My son's partner, a retired bus mechanic, taught him the Sicilian Defense and also how to fix a bike chain.

The kids bring snacks. The residents bring stories. Both sides cheat a little, out of kindness, when someone is losing badly.

At the end-of-year tournament, my son and his partner played in the final round. They drew. They shook hands, then hugged, and the whole sunroom clapped. My son says Mr. Joe is his best friend now. I believe it.