ORGANIZATIONS AND CONTACTS ON THE WEB
 
USCF (U.S. Chess Federation) www.uschess.org or call: 1 800 388 5464
For information on finding the club closest to you, ordering chess boards, clocks and books, joining the organization or subscribing to their magazines.

Playing chess has become an important part of our daily life. Lately my eight year old son, Toby, in his usual "dig-right-into-and-learn-everything-about-it" manner, has been intensely interested in everything to do with chess. And recently, so as not to miss out on all the fun, his seventeen year old brother, Timmy, has reaquainted himself with the game.

About six months ago, one of Toby’s friends mentioned going to a newly formed chess club that meets weekly at a small bookstore in a nearby town. Toby learned how to play chess when he was four but his interest had waned since he hardly ever played anyone except his father and siblings. I thought a club setting with other children to compete against and a leader to guide him might be just the spark needed to rekindle his interest and enthusiasm in this intellectual sport. Little did I realize then what a chess-playing wildfire that small spark would ignite.

I had to practically coerce Toby to go that first time. Promises were made that we would leave if it wasn’t fun and that he could get a treat at the bookstore’s cafe if he went. My guess is that the offer of a sweet treat tipped the scales in my favor. He grudgingly acquiesced and soon we were in the car, listening to his favorite music, en route to our destination.

That first outing was an overwhelming success. Toby and his friend, Jordan, played several games together, giggling and having as much fun playing chess as they always do when they’re together. He sparred with several other people as well including, Frank, the "chess master" and organizer of the group, and two or three other children close to his own age. Toby enjoyed a warm vanilla steamer (the "bribe") while I sat at the cafe’ counter sipping tea, reading the Saturday paper, listening to serene sounds from the featured CDs and chatting happily with Jordan’s parents. Both of us left that day delighted with this new-found activity that we knew we wanted to incorporate into our week.

We haven’t missed a session since. That first visit to chess club inspired a non-stop chess mania at home. The chess board soon replaced our lazy-susan as the kitchen table centerpiece. Because it is in clear view of all who enter our house, it easily evokes questions from our unsuspecting guests like, "Oh, does someone play chess?", at which point, Toby, our pint-sized enthusiast, can easily manuveur the conversation to the next step, challenging them to a game. This has enabled him to compete against neighbors, guests and even workmen. He even managed to teach me to play chess and I had resisted his offer of lessons for years with the excuse that my mind was too cluttered to take in all the moves each chess piece makes. But Toby’s enthusiasm finally wore even me down. He proved to be a patient and kind teacher. With his guidance I actually learned how to play (although I have yet to win a game against him without a considerable amount of assistance.)

My husband dug out several excellent chess books from our bookshelves that had done nothing for years but gather dust. Toby took to them with passion, devouring game strategy, technique, terminology and patterns. For weeks now, even before his morning meal, first thing he does is set up his chess board and give us his well practiced, sad-puppy, moony-eyed look until one of us gives in and plays him a game. He must play eight or more games throughout the day, sometimes playing himself or doing a game on the computer when no one else is available. He recently began creating his own chess problems, drawing them out on graph paper and taking them with him on Saturdays to show to Frank.

Two weeks ago at chess club he tried playing speed chess for the first time and now loves the new challenge of thinking and moving pieces quickly. It’s good that he is becoming comfortable using a chess clock because when playing in an official chess competition a clock is standard equipment. His first official, organized match is a few months away. Entering it would seem to be the logical next step to support his still mounting chess enthusiasm.

Toby now also goes to a second club. We saw signs in our local library about a club forming in our own town on Monday evenings so, about a month ago, we started to attend that one too. It is not nearly as nice a setting as the cozy bookstore (this one meets in a bright and over-chilled Dunkin’ Donuts) but the group is larger with many more adult members than kids so he is always pitted against several very challenging players.

One aspect of the chess playing community that I find pleasantly familiar is that, as with homeschooling, interaction among multi-level age groups seems to be normal. Older players welcome the opportunity to pass on some of their knowledge to an eager young player and enjoy the challenge of honing their skills against a sharp young mind. It is wonderful for a child to win the praise of so many adults. Both of my boys have basked in glow of these warm, fuzzy feelings.

Toby’s brother, Timmy, has renewed his interest in chess after watching Toby’s mounting enthusiasm, and he now goes with us to both the Saturday morning and Monday night clubs. Timmy has always played an excellent game of chess and like Toby he learned how to play when he was very young. All this new found attention to the game and exposure to so many different players has helped fine-tune his skills. Often several people stand around watching Timmy play and murmur in amazement at his style and ability.

At first, when I saw Timmy getting so much admiration and attention by the other players and club leaders, I wondered if it would negatively affect Toby’s interest in chess. That has happened before with my children and it almost always has had to do with Timmy’s uncanny ability to surpass his siblings in skills that they had learned first. It happened with waterskiing, juggling and unicycle riding but always before it involved Timmy and his older sisters, Amber and Jenny. But Toby hasn’t appeared phased by Timmy’s triumphs. It probably helps that Toby also has had awe-struck crowds of observers flocking around him as he has played against some of the Monday evening adults. It’s great to see his eight year old ego inflated by all that attention and praise and yet to see that it hasn’t gone to his head. He still loses plenty of games and realizes he has much to learn. I am pleased to see that his attitude about playing chess is a healthy and positive one.

Getting involved in organized chess clubs has been a wonderful addition to our family’s homeschooling life. Socially, it has enabled Toby and Timmy to look forward to regular interactions with a new network of companions who all share a common interest in the game. In addition, it has opened the door to social contact with people from a much wider geographical area via organized meets like the one coming up in a few months. Intellectually, chess has encouraged both of my sons to focus, concentrate and hone their strategic planning abilities, making them develop into more thoughtful, creative and centered people. Often they choose to fill their spare time reading chess books, studying moves and thinking "chess thoughts." This intensive interest in chess has greatly improved their games and techniques. Seeing their own improvement has made them realize how capable they are of growing and learning new things. It’s been a boost to their confidence levels and broadened their self-images in very positive ways.

I am always amazed how one little event can make a huge difference in what happens in life. If we had not gone to that first chess club several months ago, our family’s routines would be much different today than they presently are. The seemingly small suggestion that we join our friends at that first Saturday chess club sparked a wildfire of interest that has spread throughout our family. Like any good blaze it has warmed and energized us, cleared away enough of our mental deadwood to help us see and think more clearly and totally mesmerized us all by the dance of it’s flames.