By David Yagudayev, Science and Technology Editor
For the first time since its inception, the Yeshiva University Chess Team competed in a United States Chess Federation (USCF) and International Chess Federation (FIDE) rated event. From January 2-5, the team traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to participate in the prestigious 2025 Pan Ams Intercollegiate Chess Tournament, playing against some of the most formidable collegiate chess programs in the United States and Canada. Despite just finishing final exams, and competing against much larger and more established teams, the YU Chess Team left an indelible mark both on and off the chessboard.
The tournament presented significant logistical and halachic challenges for the team. Six rounds were scheduled over the course of the event, with rounds two and three falling on Shabbat and round five beginning toward the end of Shabbat at 5:00 PM. As a fully shomer Shabbat team representing YU, we were committed to upholding halacha while also striving to be competitive in the tournament.
Keeping halacha during a chess tournament involves addressing multiple concerns, including writing chess notation, signing results, using electronic clocks and carrying objects in a place with no eruv. After discussions with the Office of Student Life (OSL) and their Rabbinical Advisor, Rabbi Yakov Neuburger, the team decided to skip rounds two and three entirely to avoid any Shabbat violations. This seemed like it would affect the team’s ability to do well, as forfeiting rounds usually means a score of 0.0. However, after reaching out to the tournament organizers, we learned that we were permitted as an entire team to take 0.5-point byes for rounds, preserving a slim possibility of achieving awards.
Round five presented an additional dilemma for us. Although it started on Shabbat, the game extended past Shabbat’s conclusion, which meant that we could technically start the game once Shabbat finished. As captain, I faced a difficult choice: begin the game late, sacrificing 65 precious minutes on the clock, or take another 0.5-point bye, which may help keep our chances alive. After some thought, I decided that our team would play, informing the arbiters and their opponents that we would come very late and start the game as soon as Shabbat ended. It was a risky decision, but one that would ultimately help inform our experience and teach us an invaluable lesson.
That Shabbat was a unifying experience for the team. Away from the intensity of competition and without access to chess boards, we bonded over festive meals, zemirot and stories. It was a time to recharge after the stress of finals and the opening first round of the tournament. When Shabbat concluded, the team recited “Baruch Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lechol,” ushering in the new week with a sense of purpose and determination to win. Despite the odds stacked against us, we made our way to the tournament hall to face the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Team C, a home side with numerous teams, preparation and time on their side.
Entering the hall late was a surreal experience. Heads turned as our team took their seats at the only empty table with clocks already ticking as our opponents respectfully waited. It felt like a dramatic moment, akin to a very late GM Magnus Carlsen entrance – but unlike Carlsen, the YU players failed this challenge of playing with severely limited time. It was tough for our team’s aspirations. We had envisioned a dramatic fairytale-type victory that would serve somewhat as a testament to our perseverance and faith in the face of terrible odds. Yet, even in defeat, we found strength in knowing we had stayed true to our values and received a lot of unexpected praise and respect from the opposing team and the arbiters.
After some pep talk and realizing our chances of achieving an award were now essentially impossible, the team aggressively rebounded in round six, dominating the United States Air Force Academy Team A with a decisive 3.5-0.5 victory. Though we did not win any awards, the respect we earned for our adherence to halacha and sportsmanship was far more significant.
Tournament organizers, arbiters and opposing teams expressed immense admiration for our team’s dedication to both our faith and the competition. We were equally impressed with the level of respect and accommodation provided to us by the arbiters and tournament players. We were also told by someone that it was the first time a Jewish institution had participated in the Pan Ams Intercollegiate Chess Championship, and that the team’s presence left a lasting impression and should come back next year, which was really nice to hear.
We may not have achieved what we initially came for, but we ultimately accomplished something greater – the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God’s name).
Throughout history, Jewish Grandmasters like GM Samuel Reshevsky and GM Leonid Yudasin have similarly demonstrated a commitment to observing halacha while excelling at the highest and most prestigious levels of chess play. Reshevsky, a religious Jew and seven-time US Chess Champion, consistently refused to play on Shabbat, even forfeiting matches when accommodations were not possible. Yudasin, a competitor at the recent 2024 World Blitz Chess Championship, takes the same course of action.
The YU Chess Team’s journey at the Pan Ams Intercollegiate Chess Championship embodied these values. We showed that it is in fact possible to compete, balancing the pursuit of competitive excellence with observance of halacha. Our experience was not just about the games we played or the results we achieved; it was about sanctifying God’s name through our actions as a team. We were able to show the intercollegiate chess world what it means to live with conviction. And that a small YU team can compete too.
As the tournament concluded and we made our way to the airport, we reflected on our accomplishments. We may not have brought home trophies, but we carried with us something far more enduring and special – the pride of representing YU, the Jewish community and the values we hold dear on the most competitive intercollegiate chess stage.
Editor’s Note: NM Bryan Weisz (YC ‘26) contributed to this article.
Photo Caption: Left to Right: YU Chess Team players NM Bryan Weisz (YC ‘26) Captain David Yagudayev (YC ‘25), Daniel Hirsch (YC ‘25), and Rafael Saperstein (YC ‘25)