Puerto RicoCoach Shawn Martinez is a beloved coach, teacher and National Chess Master, currently ranked in the top 100 players out of 5000 in New York. As a player of Puerto Rican descent, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Chess took him beyond the comforts, confines, and challenges of home. He started playing Chess in the 6th grade, at first as a social activity, at I.S. 318, a New York City Middle School famous for it's successful reign of Chess team championships, featured in a documentary called Brooklyn Castle.
About me
Playing experience
Shawn began winning Chess games against friends and even street competitors, quickly becoming a
young prodigy, well known for his true love of the game. Now, it is a firm belief in his heart that
Chess stopped being just a game and transformed into a mirror meant to show him how to maneuver
life off the board. He successfully won his first tournament, where the school's Chess coach recognized
his talent and encouraged him to join the Chess Club. At Murrow High School, he ranked No. 19
amongst 16 year-old players, competing on The National Championship Chess Team and earned the
title of National Scholastic Chess Champion of the 6-11th grade division.
Along with two of his teammates, he was featured in Kings of New York by Michael Weinreb, a book
about Murrow High School's prized Chess team. Shawn is also the subject of the New York Times
article "Teenage Riddle: Skipping Class, Mastering Chess".
young prodigy, well known for his true love of the game. Now, it is a firm belief in his heart that
Chess stopped being just a game and transformed into a mirror meant to show him how to maneuver
life off the board. He successfully won his first tournament, where the school's Chess coach recognized
his talent and encouraged him to join the Chess Club. At Murrow High School, he ranked No. 19
amongst 16 year-old players, competing on The National Championship Chess Team and earned the
title of National Scholastic Chess Champion of the 6-11th grade division.
Along with two of his teammates, he was featured in Kings of New York by Michael Weinreb, a book
about Murrow High School's prized Chess team. Shawn is also the subject of the New York Times
article "Teenage Riddle: Skipping Class, Mastering Chess".
Teaching experience
For the past 10 years, he has been teaching
all throughout New York City in multiple learning environments. He specializes in working with
students in Early Childhood to High School, including those with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Some of his former teaching positions were held at Success Academy, Trinity Private
School, P.S 166 and P.S. 75. In 2011, at Excellence Boys Charter School, he led the school's Chess team to
achieving 2nd place in New York City. Currently, he holds multiple teaching positions at P.S 116, The
Manhattan Country School, Dos Puentes Elementary School, and The School at Columbia University.
Shawn feels grateful for the opportunity to mentor and nurture young talented Chess players!
all throughout New York City in multiple learning environments. He specializes in working with
students in Early Childhood to High School, including those with intellectual and developmental
disabilities. Some of his former teaching positions were held at Success Academy, Trinity Private
School, P.S 166 and P.S. 75. In 2011, at Excellence Boys Charter School, he led the school's Chess team to
achieving 2nd place in New York City. Currently, he holds multiple teaching positions at P.S 116, The
Manhattan Country School, Dos Puentes Elementary School, and The School at Columbia University.
Shawn feels grateful for the opportunity to mentor and nurture young talented Chess players!
Best skills
Adapt to students learning style and needs.