For students at chess-loving IS 318 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, nothing tops a visit by World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. The 25-year-old Norwegian — who became a grandmaster at 13 and has held the world title since age 22 — looks like a rock star and was received like one by students on the school’s own championship-winning team on Sept. 23.

Carlsen was accompanied by Erna Solberg, the prime minister of Norway, but there were no questions for her until students were prodded by teachers. And then, their first question was, “Do you play chess?” (The answer was yes, but not well.)

Like Carlsen, students at IS 318 devote a lot of time to the game. “It’s the culture at this school and kids have the opportunity to spend huge amounts of time” playing, said full-time chess teacher Elizabeth Spiegel, who was once ranked No. 10 in the country among women.

Students on the team have won the junior high school national championships 12 times and the high school nationals once, the only middle school ever to have won.

They were eager to glean insights from their hero. “We all know you win some and lose some: What are your reactions when that happens?” asked one student.

“I’m always happy when I win and still haven’t learned to be happy when I lose, so I try not to,” Carlsen replied.

Later, three star students were matched against Carlsen. With everyone watching and cameras flashing, 8th-graders Marcus Sutton and Katrina Wong and 9th-grader Jeremy Zheng played their best — and were, of course, defeated.

“My position was quite questionable, but I played a nice eight to nine minutes,” Sutton said.

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Miller Photography

Social studies teacher Jeremiah Robie travels with the team. He tries to connect the students to history, visiting monuments and museums on the trips. Afterward, he says, the students “share their knowledge with classmates,” adding depth to history lessons.

Teacher Lauris Murniek has been involved with the team since 2000, when it first won the national championship in Arizona. “Chess helps them in math and with critical thinking skills,” he said.

Ken Kubo, whose son Jun is on the team, said chess has helped his son focus “and gives him the message that you have to think before you move. Moving without thinking has consequences, just like it does in real life.”

Chapter Leader Pam Curcio said, “Kids learn how to balance chess with their academics. They’re getting a life lesson.”