The story begins by introducing the Raging Rooks, a group of poor, minority middle school students from Harlem who competed in the 1991 National Junior High Chess Championships. Despite their disadvantaged backgrounds and lack of resources, the Raging Rooks managed to tie for first place in the tournament, shocking many observers.

The key to their success was their coach, Maurice Ashley, a young chess master who believed in their potential when others did not. Ashley taught them chess in an engaging way and focused on developing their character skills like discipline and determination as much as their chess skills. At the critical moment in the tournament when they started to slip in the rankings, it was the life lessons and self-mastery he had instilled in them that allowed the Raging Rooks to persevere.

Their victory illustrated that with the right scaffolding of opportunity and motivation, students from challenging circumstances can achieve great things. The Raging Rooks went on to successful careers, and some like Charu Robinson became teachers themselves to provide opportunities for other disadvantaged youth. Their story shows how nurturing hidden potential in those underestimated can enable them to climb to unexpected heights.