Children love the thrill of chess competition with their peers; parents love the unconventional learning that takes place. Chess encourages strategic thinking and strengthens students' problem-solving skills. Now students from around the city who might not otherwise be able to participate in a tournament can do so, thanks to a new program at Gill Park.
Two hundred chess players from 15 local elementary schools will roll out the boards to compete in four rounds of low-tech, high-intensity chess at the first annual free Gill Park Chess Tournament Saturday, Feb. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Gill Park is located at 825 W. Sheridan Rd., two blocks south of Irving Park Rd., at the corner of Sheridan Rd. and Broadway.
The schedule is Round 1, 10 a.m.; Round 2, 11 a.m.; Round 3, 12:30 p.m.; Round 4, 1:30 p.m. The awards ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. The park phone number is (312) 742-7802.
A diverse group of students will assemble in the park gym to huddle over roll-up chess boards and concentrate on their next moves. The Gill Park Chess Tournament is the culmination of an eight-week instructional program taught to students from Hawthorne School, as well as students enrolled in the Gill Park after-school program. A handful of proactive mothers approached Gill Park staff with the idea of teaching chess. The ready-made program, taught by Chess Educations Partners, Inc., has grown exponentially since its inception last year.
Chess Education Partners, Inc. works with partner schools to provide chess instruction and events. It recently helped host the U.S. Chess Federation 2003 National Scholastic Championship in Rosemont, IL, which drew young players from around the country. |
