CHESS CLUB HELPS START MAJOR CHESS PROGRAM IN THE CITY.

See the full story here at WCPO.com 9 News

Three organizations came together this summer to offer the ancient game of chess to Cincinnati's youth.

The Cincinnati Chess Club along with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and the Chris Collinsworth ProScan Fund created a program to expose kids to chess.

"It teaches kids to think, to use their reasoning skills and it helps them in the classroom," said Duane Larkin of the Cincinnati Chess Club.

Larkin told 9 News that staff members of the various rec centers attended two instructional sessions, offered by the chess club, so they could in turn teach children the basics of chess.

"Chess is fun because you meet different people who come from all walks of life," said Larkin.

In addition to the instruction the rec centers will have chess boards and instructional materials provided by the Chris Collinsworth ProScan Fund.

The fund donated more than 100 boards and pieces to be divided up among the more than 20 rec centers.

The goal says Larkin is to make chess not only more available to kids but to also make it a permanent fixture at the rec centers.

 

Here are pictures of staff members that participated in the recreation project. A total of about 20 Recreation centers were represented.

Representing the Chess club is Andy Ward, Ned Hayes, Jon Applebee(not pictured), Duane Larkin, and Al Willis.

Maggie Fennell, from the C.C. Proscan Fund and Tim Heyl, from Recreation, helped to arrange the sessions and were on hand to thank the paricipants.

Recreation staff at bondhill center	Recreation staff at bush center	Maggie and Tim display certificates and chess equipment
Cincinnati Chess club instructors	Excited staff member Vanessa	Chess study and play