- Eugene: [holding up chess piece] This is a king. And this is your life. One mistake and it can be taken away.
- [first lines]
- Searcy: [knocking over the king] Wanna play again? Chance to get those cigarettes back.
- Eugene: I'm scared, man. I don't got too many friends on the outside. Not any more.
- Searcy: Just keep your eye on the end game. Everything'll fall into place.
- Eugene: I'm gonna miss you chess man.
- Searcy: Listen to me, Eugene. Every day you out there, you out there for me, and every other brother in here. 'Cuz I'm never gonna be out there again.
- Eugene: Chess is no different than life. These suburban kids, they know they get good grades, they go off to college. They know they'll own their own business some day - they envision the end-game. But poor kids don't think like that.
- Sheila King: Mr. Brown, I...
- Eugene: I was taught like that. I didn't see the end-game, and it cost me, man, it cost me big.
- Eugene: If you win, everybody does what they want for the rest of the period. But if I win, you learn a new game.
- Eugene: You want to find out? Now everybody to your seats. Sit down. What you shaking your head for Peanut?
- Clifton: Darius was always the biggest kid in class. It was like that even when we were little. Tahime is just as afraid out here as me. He just won't show it.
- Clifton: Canceled? What was it you said? About when you get trapped in a corner? CHESS? What was I thinking?
- Sheila King: I try to make it work with the little funding we are given. I've seen teachers come and go. Make no difference. But you. These children need you.
- Michelle: How come you are so good at worrying about other people's children, but so poor at worrying about your own?
- Perry: You either turn over more product or that good opportunity I was telling you about will no longer be yours. Now get out.
- Gina Sanders: I dont got no money for you to play no chess. Get out my face boy. Are they going to pay you to play chess? If no, I don't want to hear about signing nothing.
- Eugene: Mrs. Sanders. Please. Your son has real talent. Just come watch him. I wasn't there for my children and I regret it every day of my life.
- Peanut: Darius was always the biggest kid in class. It was like that even when we were little. Tahime is just as afraid out here as me. He just won't show it.
- Peanut: Canceled? What was it you said? About when you get trapped in a corner? CHESS? What was I thinking?