The Beaverton Chess Club needs your help

#ChesswithCoachLarry

The Beaverton Chess Club needs a place to meet in the evening once a week or on a Sunday afternoon. A chess club is more than a group of grumpy old men who meet and stare at a chessboard. It’s a place where kids, parents and other adults meet. They catch up on friendships, kids meet kids from other schools and share what is happening at their schools. Adults can keep up on each other’s’ families, activities, jobs and what’s happening in their community. It is a time that parents can share time with their kids.

Everyone is welcome at the chess club. We help players improve their chess skills by reviewing games played in tournaments, teaching them openings. The kids learn from the adults and the adults learn from the kids! There are no membership fees. It’s free to everyone. We hope to set up chess matches between schools and hopefully build up the club. We hope to hold some chess tournaments in Beaverton. That will bring families to Beaverton, where during the tournament people will shop and eat at local places. Portland and Hillsboro both have chess clubs. Shouldn’t Beaverton?

Portland and Hillsboro both have chess tournaments. Shouldn’t Beaverton? Help give the kids something to do other than computer games and tv and endless hours of screen time. The chess club lets them spend time with real human beings!

But we need your help finding a home. Do you know a church meeting room we could use? An empty storefront we could fill with chess players once a week? A community hall or classroom willing to stay open late for some friendly chess players? Any other place that’s large enough for some chess tables and players that’s willing to welcome some eager players?

Please check around and help the Beaverton Chess Club find a home.

Why learn chess? Simple: It’s a great mental workout that helps children perform well in the classroom. Chess is a logical game where kids have to plan ahead and adjust to new situations. But most of all, it’s fun!

Larry Ball (Coach Larry) teaches students of all ages at the Steinitz Chess Academy in Beaverton. For more information, email Larry at larryball48@yahoo.com.