Countless researchers and studies have shown over the years that chess does indeed strengthen a child's mental clarity, fortitude, stability, and overall health. In this technologically driven world, chess helps aid in the synthesis and growth of certain areas in the brain and mind where many children can benefit as they grow older from the game.

Below are some of the most critical benefits that chess can provide to a child:

• Develop analytical, synthetic and decision-making skills, which they can transfer to real life.
• Learn to engage in deep and thorough chess research which will help them build their confidence in their ability to do academic research.
• Help children gain insights into the nature of competition which will help them in any competitive endeavor.
• When youngsters play chess they must call upon higher-order thinking skills, analyze actions and consequences, and visualize future possibilities.
• In countries where chess is offered widely in schools, students exhibit excellence in the ability to recognize complex patterns and consequently excel in math and science.

The Chess Club is having its first meeting on Thursday, February 9th immediately after school in Room 4. The meeting should last until 4:45. We will be meeting each week on Thursdays. Session Extended -- The last day is Thursday, June 7th, 2012. 

We will have 15 minutes of chess instruction and then play chess for the next 45 minutes. We will have matches and students will be playing each other with parental oversight and coaching.

We are encouraging students from 3rd to 5th grades, but will be open to younger students who can exhibit the maturity to learn and play.

Interested students should contact me directly at andy@andycoy.com

• Location: TPES Room 4
• Starts: After school, February 15, 2012
• Ends: June 7, 2012
• Cost: Free
  

Chess Club Goals:
Have Fun playing chess
Learn to play a better game of chess
Practice good sportsmanship