Posted on Monday, 07.12.10
MIAMI GARDENS
Young chess players brush up on tactics for victory at City Hall
YOUNG CHESS ENTHUSIASTS FACED OFF AT MIAMI GARDENS CITY HALL AS PART OF A NEW PROGRAM THAT AIMS TO GET MORE YOUNG PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE GAME
BY DANIEL BOCK
Special to The Miami Herald
A slap on the clock by Isaiah Littlejohn, 12, set a new game in motion. He and Jabari Capers, also 12, began a feverish race to the center of the board.
They moved their pieces and marked the clock as quickly as their hands allowed.
Isaiah, a member of the chess team at Norland Middle, and Jabari, on the team at John F. Kennedy Middle, matched their skills during a chess workshop hosted by the city of Miami Gardens last month.
“We play chess in life every day,” said Tamilla Mullings, an administrative assistant who works for the city and organized the June 25 event. “You have to think before you do things. People think chess is an older person’s sport, but we want to motivate kids to get involved.”
Organizers hope to make the chess workshops an ongoing event, but no additional dates have been scheduled. Those interested in playing should contact Mullings at City Hall for more information.
Chess is exciting, said Isaiah.
“Your mind is always between offense and defense. You have to develop your pieces before your opponent does.”
Within moments, the chess board was scattered with pawns, bishops and knights. The game took on a slower pace as the clock continued to count down. The boys leaned in close to the board, each with chin in hand.
“Chess isn’t boring; it’s a quiet game,” said Jabari, who has been playing for three years and tied for first place in his division during the Florida Super State Championship in 2009.
“It requires patience and quick thinking at the same time. I like to attack, but you have to look at everything,” he said. “The longer you take to think, the better you understand the game.”
Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/12/1727493/young-chess-players-brush-up-on.html
Very cool.