Students Stories
Every student’s chess journey is different. These stories celebrate not only ratings, medals, and tournament achievements, but also the confidence, concentration, resilience, friendships, and personal growth students develop along the way.
Arseny Manevich, Age 9
USCF 1215
Arseny has been playing chess since age five and began competing in rated tournaments in 2026. In his first tournament year, he has already reached a USCF rating of 1215.
His parent shares:
“Chess has helped Arseny become more confident, focused, and resilient. He now handles mistakes and losses more calmly, learns from them, and has made wonderful new friends who share his passion for chess.”
Arseny’s next goal:
“To reach a 2000 USCF rating!”
Lola began learning chess in December 2025. She has participated in free chess classes and tournaments organized by Bilimly at her local library.
Through chess, she has also made many wonderful new friends who share her enthusiasm for the game.
Lola always looks forward to her next chess class and tournament.
Lola Butayeva, Age 8
Sabina began learning chess at age eight. As an energetic and active child, chess has helped her develop patience, concentration, and the ability to think carefully before making decisions.
After moving to a new country, chess also helped Sabina adjust to her new environment, make friends, and improve her conversational English. Instead of spending her free time playing computer games, she enjoys solving chess puzzles and analyzing games.
Sabina hopes to continue competing in tournaments, improve her rating, and make new friends through chess.
Sabina Ashrabova, Age 11
David Abramov David has been playing chess since December 2025. He has really fallen in love with chess, and it has helped him develop better concentration, patience, and strategic thinking as he learns new strategies.
His next goal is to become a chess master and strive to be the best he can be at chess.
David Abramov, Age 7
Daniel enjoys learning chess and discovering new strategies. Chess has helped him strengthen his concentration, patience, problem-solving, and ability to think ahead. He enjoys challenging himself and improving with every lesson and game.
Daniel’s goal is to continue developing as a player, compete in more tournaments, and become the strongest chess player he can be.