A match made in clay

CORNWALL — Max Selendy is perched over a chess board at the Cornwall Bridge Pottery Store. The store’s owner, Todd Piker, is showcasing his unique chess sets: game board and table in one piece, stools and distinctive game pieces, all painstakingly crafted in ceramic. It was a quaint scene in the center of West Cornwall, on a sunny Memorial Day weekend.

Max made his moves thoughtfully but quickly. His seeming nonchalance was not due to a lack of real interest, but a confidence that comes from being a tournament champion. Max, by the way, just turned 7.

“Max was my inspiration for the chess sets,†Piker said. “He’s an amazing kid. I’ve always been interested in chess, but I never took the time to really get into it. His attitude toward the game, at that age, intrigued me.â€

When Max’s dad, Philippe Selendy, was 15, his mom, Jeanine, sent him to work for Piker at the pottery. They have been friends since. Philippe lives in Brooklyn now, with his wife, Jennifer, Max and 4-year-old Liam. They come to Cornwall on the weekends.

Max attends Hunter College Elementary School, where chess is part of the curriculum.

“It is taught by the top elementary coaches, including the head of the United States Chess Federation,†Jennifer Selendy said. “It’s not about making chess champions out of the kids, but about developing analytical skills and spatial thinking.â€

She and Liam were determined to try out each of about a half dozen of Piker’s intricately designed chess sets. They marveled at carved bases glazed to look like wood.

Max has been working with his little brother, and Mom admits she doesn’t stand a chance when she plays against them.

“I always beat Dad, and Max always beats me,†Liam said.

Max was introduced to chess in kindergarten just last year. Every four years, a national tournament is held for players in grades kindergarten through high school. Max’s school competed in Nashville in April, where his kindergarten and first-grade team took first place in their division.

During his game in Cornwall, Max occasionally turned to peer out the window onto the porch, where his dad was playing a match against Tyler Cheney.

I can’t tell how he’s doing,†Max said, “but I know I’m doing good here.â€

Indeed, he appeared to have his opponent, 11-year-old Hector Prud’homme, in a precarious position. But minutes later, Hector moved a pawn to the opposite edge of the board, brought in a second queen, and cornered Max’s king. They shook hands, and Max went off to tell his mom about Hector’s impressive win.

When asked if his son always beats him, Philippe Selendy smiled and said, “No comment.â€

Piker’s chess sets are for sale. They can be viewed at the pottery store, or online at cbpots.com.