Howard Chess Club Reaches Out to D.C. Community
Kerri Cox
11/15/05
Campus
Campus
Members of the Howard University Chess Club expanded their knowledge of chess with area children by hosting a casual tournament session for children of the Olympic Chess House.
Held in the West Ballroom of the Blackburn Center last Wednesday, the tournament offered students a rare opportunity to see children ranging from six to 14 become the intellectual equals of college students as they faced off over the chess board.
"We see this as another opportunity to reach out to the community. Each semester, the children from the Olympic Chess House come and play members from the Howard Chess Club," said Keron George junior engineering major and president of the Howard University Chess Club. "It allows them to see the campus and also inspires them to continue the game especially when they can brag that they've played university students and won."
The Olympic Chess House is an organization that is committed to teaching the game of chess to children in the D.C. community. Established in 2000, the club holds training sessions at various district schools and also allows for children within the program to participate in tournaments throughout the year. Since its conception, more than 3000 children ranging from ages four to 17 have taken part in some aspect of the program.
Founder and coordinator of the Olympic Chess House, Vaughn Bennett, sees chess as a powerful educational tool that can greatly impact and shape the future of children.
"For too long we have been denied access to games such as golf and tennis," Bennett said. "But we will break through. Many universities offer chess scholarships to worthy students. Thus, I see chess as a game that can pave the way for their future."
Alicia Rucker looked on as three of her children played against college students more than twice their age in the tournament. She agreed that she wants to see her children successfully positioned in college and thinks that the scholarships offered would help significantly. However, she said that this was not the sole reason for their involvement in the game.
Held in the West Ballroom of the Blackburn Center last Wednesday, the tournament offered students a rare opportunity to see children ranging from six to 14 become the intellectual equals of college students as they faced off over the chess board.
"We see this as another opportunity to reach out to the community. Each semester, the children from the Olympic Chess House come and play members from the Howard Chess Club," said Keron George junior engineering major and president of the Howard University Chess Club. "It allows them to see the campus and also inspires them to continue the game especially when they can brag that they've played university students and won."
The Olympic Chess House is an organization that is committed to teaching the game of chess to children in the D.C. community. Established in 2000, the club holds training sessions at various district schools and also allows for children within the program to participate in tournaments throughout the year. Since its conception, more than 3000 children ranging from ages four to 17 have taken part in some aspect of the program.
Founder and coordinator of the Olympic Chess House, Vaughn Bennett, sees chess as a powerful educational tool that can greatly impact and shape the future of children.
"For too long we have been denied access to games such as golf and tennis," Bennett said. "But we will break through. Many universities offer chess scholarships to worthy students. Thus, I see chess as a game that can pave the way for their future."
Alicia Rucker looked on as three of her children played against college students more than twice their age in the tournament. She agreed that she wants to see her children successfully positioned in college and thinks that the scholarships offered would help significantly. However, she said that this was not the sole reason for their involvement in the game.