Pawndemonium!

Pawndemonium: young competitors enjoy the old-school appeal of chess
by Michael Flynn
published January 6, 2007 3:41 pm

ASHEVILLE – Chess is the most fun when the opponent is on the run, according to 10-year-old Anna Caldwell.

“When I start chasing the king – that’s the fun part,” said the Fairview Elementary fourth grader in between matches at the Pawndemonium chess tournament Saturday.

The 18th annual event brought about 115 kindergarten through high school students to the Montford Community Center to compete for trophies in four divisions based on age and skill.

“We’re convinced that the discipline of playing chess significantly improves academic performance,” said Ned Cabaniss of the Kiwanis Club of Asheville, which co-sponsors the tournament with the city of Asheville. “It’s a mental discipline,” he said. “It forces the child to engage in long range planning.”

Here is the full article.