Chess Day in Alabama

Chess under the space rocket — Chess Day in Alabama

How do you celebrate ‘Chess Day’? Well, playing chess under a space rocket is one way.

National Chess Day was October 10. Hundreds of organized chess events were held around the nation.

Acknowledging the wonderful and universal game of chess, the State of Alabama by proclamation, declared October 10 as ‘Chess Day in Alabama‘. Several events around the state ‘celebrated’ chess and were designed to attract new players.

Gov. Robert Bentley’s proclamation recognized the tireless efforts by schools, coaches and volunteers to promote chess: “Alabama’s school chess coaches are to be commended for their promotion of chess to children. Educators who encourage all schools and community centers in the United States to engage in chess programs to promote problem-solving and critical thinking should be commended…and chess is a mind sport – that transcends all cultures.”

Under the rocket

The Madison City Chess League observed National Chess Day weekend by inviting New York Grandmaster Alexander Stripunsky, a former U.S. Chess Champion, to Huntsville.

Stripunsky gave a simultaneous chess exhibition under the Saturn V Rocket at the US Space and Rocket Center’s Davidson Center for Space Exploration. Next, Stripunsky and International Master Jake Kleiman, of Tennessee, then conducted a day-long chess camp on Saturday and Sunday in Madison.

Executive Director of the Madison City Chess League, and Madison City school board member Ranae Bartlett was impressed. “Alex Stripunsky is such a gentleman and very gracious with his time and talents while working with children who are at the beginning stages of their chess development. He is also intense whether instructing in class or conducting recreational soccer activities with the kids during breaks. It was a lot of fun watching him interact with our students.”

Bartlett said that was the first time chess was so prominently featured at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration. It was also a first where a chess Grandmaster appeared in Alabama for such an exhibition and chess camp.

Full article here.