Guide to Chess Resources for Kids in Philadelphia

Chess is an ancient game whose exact roots are the subject of debate. Chess can provide hours of engaging entertainment while increasing your brain power at the same time.

The most appealing aspect about the game of chess for me is the lack of consumer influence. Certainly, there are a variety of fun chess software programs on the market, but chess simply requires a board and chess pieces. Of course, IBM attempted to commercialize chess in subtle ways with their creation of computerized chess programs including Deep Blue. Gary Kasparov played Deep Blue in the 1990s in two separate matches, and lost the second match. IBM has since refused any rematches preferring to end on a winning note.

Chess is a versatile game because it is widely accessible to players on every level: novice to grandmaster. It can be an intellectually-stimulating activity for children, and as a result many programs and summer camps are available for children who want to play chess. My four-year-old daughter enjoys playing chess and has been able to make it through half of a game for about the last six months. As a result, I've researched available opportunities for playing and learning chess in the Greater Philadelphia area, and they are included below.

The MasterMinds Chess Club of Philadelphia has a scholastic club that meets for ninety minutes beginning at 7:00 p.m. every Friday. The program is run by a long-time member of the United States Chess Federation. The club also runs monthly scholastic tournaments. They are located near 17th and Vine Streets.

The Greater Cherry Hill Chess Club offers a one-week long summer chess camp in Medford, NJ for girls and boys in grades 4-8. The camp runs from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and the club is an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation.

USA Chess offers chess camps nationwide for students ages 5-16. Although locations change yearly, the chess camp was offered at Haddonfield Friends School in Haddonfield during Summer 2006.

The After School Activities Partnerships (ASAP) in Philadelphia has prompted schools, libraries, and other community organizations to sponsor weekly chess clubs for kids. ASAP provides free chess materials and training to host sites. If you live in Philadelphia, check with your local schools and library to determine availability of chess clubs in your neighborhood.

The above resources are helpful for providing children with the opportunity to play chess and improve their skills. If your child loves playing chess, I urge you to check out some of the above options to provide them with an appropriate environment to learn and improve their skills while playing a game they really enjoy.