Children and youth interested in learning to play chess are invited to a new camp designed to introduce them to the game and offer a chance to play in a mock tournament to exercise their skills.
The inaugural Randy Richardson Memorial Chess Camp is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Forest Public Library. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the one-day camp begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. The camp is free and open to all children and youth in grades two through 12. The camp coincides with National Chess Day celebrated annually on the second Saturday of October.
The camp will be co-hosted by the library and the Scott County Chess Club and funded through a recent donation of $1,000 made in memory of a local native who was an active chess player in his youth, taught the game to other students, and he was a 1960 graduate of Forest High School.
“We are so excited to bring a new event for our community’s children to the library in partnership with the chess club that meets here each month,” said Dianne McLaurin, branch manager. “We believe this camp will be the start of a new tradition for the library and offers a unique activity for our kids.”
Chris Allen Baker, founder and coordinator of the Scott County Chess Club, noted the special chance for the club and library to offer another special service for the community.
“We are proud of the partnership we have enjoyed with the library the past five years since starting the club. This camp is an example of the growth and success enjoyed in bringing the opportunity of chess to Scott County in a big way,” Baker said.
The camp will begin with a two-hour classroom setting of instructing participants about how chess is played. The class will be based on the teaching method which the club uses for Boy Scouts earning the chess merit badge. After a 30-minute break for sack lunches provided by the library, activities will resume with a small mock tournament where participants may play each other in testing what they learned earlier in the day. Winners will receive trophies and medals, and all participants will receive certificates and souvenirs.
Participants will attend the morning teaching session together and in the tournament segment according to their age level. Three sections will include players in grades two through four, five through eight, and nine through 12. Students in local schools and homeschool students are invited and encouraged to participate. While the camp is focused on Scott County, students from neighboring counties may participate.
All persons wishing to participate should pick up an application at the library or download, print, complete, and return an application available online at scottcountychessclub.org. The application will be used for planning purposes and organizing the afternoon tournament. All completed applications must be submitted to the Forest Public Library by noon on Oct. 7. Any children who already play chess are encouraged to participate in the camp and any participants who already own their own board and set are welcome to bring it.
For more information, call the library at 601-469-1481.
