MSU hosts children’s chess tournament

MSU hosts children’s chess tournament
By Lauren McKown
Sunday, February 7, 2010

Elementary and middle school students from across the state took over the Union on Saturday with family, coaches, teachers and chess boards in tow.

Students filled the first floor of the building as early as 7 a.m. with coolers, blankets, pillows and folding chairs in anticipation of the Michigan Scholastic Chess Tournament. Playing with their friends, tournament competitors laughed and chased each other in the hallways and outside. As the tournament commenced, however, the atmosphere upstairs became much more serious.

Cavanaugh Elementary fourth-grader and Lansing resident Tressa Bashore said she sometimes feels nervous before chess matches.

“My palms get sweaty and my head hurts,” Bashore said. “I think of what my dad says, ‘Everything will be okay — try your best and have fun.’”

Bashore is one of more than 550 students who crammed into the Union for the tournament organized by the Michigan Chess Association. The MSU Math Department co-sponsored the event by organizing the location details.

The tournament was run “Swiss Style,” with individual students paired up with other students of similar skill level. Each individual played for a team. Some had private coaches while others came with their school chess teams, said Jennifer Skidmore, vice president and scholastic coordinator for the Michigan Chess Association.

“Chess teaches a variety of skills, including critical thinking, thinking ahead and being patient,” Skidmore said.

Skidmore said 55 school districts from across Michigan brought 129 teams to the tournament.

Here is the full article.