A good cure for summer boredom – How about chess lessons?

It’s summertime! Like most parents we have to figure out what to do until school starts again. At some point the kids will say those two words, “I’m bored!” What can we do with them? We want them to do something that is interesting, where they can maybe make new friends and have some fun.

How about chess lessons? Chess is easy to learn, educational, and lots of fun. I have students who take chess lessons every summer, play in summer tournaments, learn new skills that will help them in school and make new friends from other schools, too. And it doesn’t stop at the end of summer. Most schools have chess clubs and every month there are chess tournaments where they can match their skills against other players. Older kids can play on their high school chess teams and players of all ages go to the Oregon State Chess Championships at Seaside every spring. To some families, Seaside has become a regular vacation.

Some of the students who started taking chess lessons from me in the second grade are now on college chess teams. They keep in touch with me and with friends they met over the years online and in in-person tournaments. It’s something they plan to do for a lifetime and pass on to friends and families. Many of my students play chess by computer with loved ones in other countries. It’s a great way to stay in touch!

I have students who are signing up now for summer chess lessons. So don’t pass up your chance to get chess lessons for your child. Contact me: Larry Ball, (503) 348-2600, larryball48@yahoo.com. Make it a fun, interesting summer this year – learn chess!

Larry Ball (Coach Larry) teaches students of all ages at the Steinitz Chess Academy in Beaverton. Questions? Email Larry at larryball48@yahoo.com.