Getting more kids in chess

Artwork by Mike Magnan

Library aims to round up some young chess players
By Elena Acoba
Special to the Arizona Daily Star

A Valencia Library employee wants to round up some young chess players for a club and hopes his Rodeo Daze Chess Knockout — Southside Grand Slam Tournament on Friday will lure them.

“This is a way to just maybe generate some interest . . . in chess,” said John L. Muñoz, the branch’s librarian in charge of youth services. “Perhaps afterward maybe we can get something started. Youngsters already took advantage of the chess-board tables and sets at the library for pickup games,” he said.

Currently, he said, he doesn’t know of any kids’ chess clubs in the library’s service area, which includes the Sunnyside Unified School District.

Although called a tournament, the event actually will be an informal contest without strict tournament rules such as timed moves and points. General chess rules will apply, Muñoz said, and judges will be on hand to mediate the play.

Here is the full article.