North End Library Holds Chess Club For Kids

Jennifer Hawes did not learn chess when she was growing up.

Now, however, the children’s librarian at the North End Branch on Parmenter Street is picking up how to play from younger people.

“This provides the joy of thinking strategically (or a curse for some) and the kids are teaching me,” said Jennifer. “The kids who come for chess club here at the library love the camaraderie and the challenge playing the game offers.”

From what she’s seen in the monthly sessions, as well as a summer club the library offered to generate interest for the one during the school year, Jennifer said it seems the kids who play chess develop better concentration.

Currently, she said, the library is lucky to have chess mentor Jannelle Richardson.

“Jannelle is a volunteer who is very passionate about chess,” Jennifer said.

There are two clubs today: Beginners gather from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Intermediate players from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The clubs are open to kids ages 7-14.

Pre-registration is required. Sign up by calling Jennifer at 617-227-8135.

 “We have a lot of kids who are interested in chess and the club is something we’ve had off and on for about three years,” Jennifer said. “We had a ton of children come to the summer club so we know this is growing in popularity.”

Jennifer then ran off to practice setting up a chessboard. She carefully followed a diagram in “Teaching Chess Step by Step” that the library has printed out for the members of the club.

“I have to do it exactly right because the kids will know if I make a mistake,” Jennifer said.

Chess is an ancient game that has lasted for about 1,500 years. According to the manual the North End Library provides for the club members, the precise origins of chess are unknown.

What is known is that the game was introduced into Europe mostly through trade and the first European reference to chess comes from Spain.

Early Persian and Arabic writers attribute the origin of chess to northern India in the early 6^th Century. Some Chinese scholars disagree, however.

Whatever the origins, we see chess being played wherever we go (in our own homes, our friends’) and even in recent James Bond and Harry Potter movies.