Crusaders make all
the right moves for title

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Father Judge won another Catholic League championship last month and it wasn’t in physical sports. The Judge team snatched the prize from undefeated Cardinal Dougherty in a 3-2 chess match.
Head Coach Michael Fiocco was thrilled with his team’s performance despite the pressures they put on themselves.
"I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of a performance than I was at that moment. They took on a team that had beaten them twice this year, with arguably better players, and pulled off the upset," Fiocco said.
The last game was two hours long, according to David Piecyk, a sophomore team member.
According to Fiocco, Philadelphia archdiocesan high schools have squared off for the past seven years in competition.
Playing the game of kings and queens brings the students more than the satisfaction of winning.
"Students who apply themselves often find that chess develops brain capacity, because of the concentration needed to think three or four moves in advance," Fiocco said.
He likened the concentration required on the chess board to an athlete who works out in the gym.
"Playing a game of chess pushes the brain to beyond its normal performance, enhancing one’s ability to think. Of course this only applies when a student truly concentrates on the game, and this is where the value of the league comes in to play. I have found that students are more likely to take the game serious and concentrate when they are playing against students from another school than if they are just engaged in a "friendly" game of chess," Fiocco said.
Other schools participating in the league include West Catholic, Roman Catholic, Bishop McDevitt and LaSalle College High School.
Fiocco has been heartened by the sportsmanship he’s seen after the games.
"I often see players discussing strategies and mistakes that were made with each other after their match. This is very gratifying to see, especially when competitors are able to correct their mistakes from a previous match," he said.. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com