On March 6 Beverly Hills Chess Club will be hosting a Scholastic Tournament from 1PM-6PM and we would love for you to join us! Please visit our website for more information. We feel these tournaments are great for children; they encourage them to use brain power and help them excel at the same time. We found an article that supports our belief that chess is a fantastic sport for children and adults alike:
The cafeteria at Weber Elementary school was nearly silent Saturday morning as local students focused intently on their chess games.
In the room next door, students waiting to play ran and shouted to one another and played practice matches. Nearly 150 kids in kindergarten through sixth grade participated in the fifth annual Winter Chess Tournament.
Saturday was Daniel Song's first time at the Weber tournament, but at 9 years old, he's practically a chess veteran. He sat quietly at his chess board contemplating his next move against his opponent, 9-year-old Christopher McSweeney. Song has played in tournaments in Cedar Rapids and recently placed fourth in his age group at a statewide competition. "I've played in a lot of tournaments, and this one is fun," Song said.
McSweeney said he first began playing chess with his grandfather and then went on to teach his sister. "I like how it's all strategic," McSweeney said of the game. Weber parent Greg Schmidt first organized the Winter Chess Tournament five years ago as a way to introduce kids to the game and provide an outlet for those who already were playing, he said. The tournament draws participants of all skill levels. "I wanted to get kids to play and feel the thrill of playing," Schmidt said. "There seemed to be a lot of interest, so I thought there would be a good response. Five years later, here we are."
Schmidt said the game provides kids a good opportunity to learn about respectful competition. "It's good because it teaches patience, planning and fierce competition," Schmidt said. "But it also teaches how to compete with civility." Julie Kabat of Coralville attended the tournament with her 9-year-old son, Noah. Kabat said the tournament was an opportunity for kids who play chess regularly, including Noah, to try it out at a more competitive level. "It's good exposure for kids who haven't gotten a chance to play competitive chess," Kabat said. "It builds logic skills, and unlike at a sporting event, it allows kids to excel at an event that requires brain work."
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