From Pawns to Kings: Chess Champions of Murdertown USA | Walter Nathan Durant | TEDxWilmington

Durant is the chess coach at Thomas Edison Charter school, two time national chess champions in the last three years. Durant begins his talk with a brilliant and clever description of the game, with particular attention paid to the underrated, underappreciated pawns. While pawns are not powerful, they can be, if they are pushed to promotion, wherein they can become anything. Durant moves on to discuss how they did it -- each dimension of making chess popular and exciting to kids, as well as the demands they made of the team. Finally, he asks each in the audience to find a pawn, and push.
Walter Nathan Durant is currently a teacher and chess coach at Thomas A. Edison Charter School in Wilmington Delaware. As a chess coach he has helped his students achieve great success, winning multiple Mid-Atlantic chess championships, and State Championships in both Delaware and Pennsylvania. In 2014, his students were the first from Delaware to win a National Chess Championship. And in 2016 they won their second National Championship in three years. Walter Durant uses chess as a tool to teach his students about life. He believes that in both chess and in life, success is determined by your actions. Walter received a B.A. from Kutztown University, and a M.ED in School Leadership form Wilmington University.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@lafeungalloway3217]

I love this. This is motivation. HUGE chess advocate and player. Y'all have unlimited potential.

[@cruzmontes2595]

I've heard a lot of TED talks, but as a fellow youth advisor this one was is the most dearest to my heart.

[@ThousandairesClub]

for some reason, the name Walter Durant popped up in my dream last night, I have no idea why. I woke up and immediately TH-cam'd it and got this video. definitely going through a phase in my life where I needed some reassurance to keep striving for a particular goal, even though society has me feeling like a pawn right now

[@HarlanHodge]

Awesome job my friend and fellow coach. Your energy, passion, and commitment is proof that teaching the game to select children requires more than a love for the game. It requires a love for the children.

[@rolandmousaa3110]

Walter.. Thanks for giving us HOPE in Life.. In the 50/60's I was raised in St. Vincent's Orphanage in Denver.. I had worse grades.. but so did Thomas Edison, he only finished only 8th grade.. You are truly GREAT! Love Chess.. Inventor.. Roland Mousaa

[@FKAwalkwithwade]

This guy, this guys pushin P.

[@mercermitchell7873]

What a wonderful achievement and commitment to the youth! With God ALL things are possible! Chess is a DYNAMIC tool!

[@dontaye23]

very awesome speech.

[@gjerryvelazquez5958]

Nate - great presentation

[@meemeej296]

I am so proud of you. 💪💪

[@markmiller7078]

Very inspiring.

[@anon5041]

"We all begin as pawns in life" my quote

[@LM-yr4rx]

Damn... won the nationals... thats a big deal there are lots of smart kids out there... great talk

[@mark_staykind1470]

the only place where achievement comes before sacrifice is in the dictionary...

[@nmadboy8774]

1:21

[@CGoldthorpe]

The chess board is set up wrong!

[@danuk-]

Oppressive adverts trying to sell you 💩