Community Chess

When: Saturday, January 27th

Time: 12pm – 3pm

Where: The Shops at Hilltop, Lower Macy’s Court, 2200 Hilltop Mall Rd in Richmond

What: The West Coast Chess Alliance and R&R Coffee are teaming up to present Community Chess Day.  Everyone is invited to this free community chess pop-up workshop! 

Fun chess activities include a chess tournament, play on a giant chess set,  causal play and chess instruction. Chess sets and clocks will be provided. Community chess is a Richmond Main Street Initiative supported event.

According to  the WCCA founder TC Ball, aka the Black Knight, “Pop-up Chess is a way of creating more opportunity to expose the community to chess. Richmond has a long history of chess.” And recently has created the Main Street Community Chess Park in Downtown Richmond. “Chess gives the citizens a way to enjoy this incredible game. Some benefits are academic enrichment, some are civic engagement. Chess is the best metaphor for life out there.”

According to TC, there are benefits to kids, “Their reading improves. Math improves. Behavior improves.” When asked why their behavior changes he replied, “Chess teaches you to concentrate on your next move. Plus, I push chess etiquette and respect. We open and end with a handshake.”

He said the Giant Lawn Chess set has had a positive impact.

“One time playing the big lawn game – other kids were so excited and talking among each other, a sixth grader called out, ‘Guys be quiet – I want to think.'” What he likes is that kids embrace the game and that the game brings the community together. One senior laughingly, though grimacing, said, “This is the look you get when you get beat by a 3^rd grader!”

Chess enhances diversity. You have young community kids and teenagers mixing it up with their parents and elderly citizens. TC proclaims, “Chess let’s us celebrate this diversity we have!”

More Info: TC Ball  at (510) 439-6311 or Phillip Mitchell at (415) 875-0786. Website.