Kids like it 'cause it's fun

Page 18

Hunter Angeconeb-Nawagesic started playing chess at the age of four. Now at 10, he's part of the Northern Ontario Youth Chess Team.

"I plays chess because it's fun and I have friends who play too," said Hunter.

Janna McDonald of Wabasseemoong, formerly the Whitedog First Nation, played in the age 10 and 11 girls category at the Canadian Youth Championships in Sackville, N.B. She came within one point of earning a spot on the team sent to the Pan American Chess Championships in Spain.

Several Aboriginal schools report that playing chess has taken off as a favorite activity in their communities. It can be played in every season, the set-up cost is minimal, and no gym, groomed field, or expensive equipment is required. Any simple location with tables and chairs will do, and these days, computers provide instruction and a sense of community. You can play against remarkable software programs or opponents from around the world.

Numerous studies have been done that prove chess helps students improve academically. It is rich in problem solving techniques and improves a child's ability to think rationally.

"There's a tendency to treat chess as some kind of highbrow amusement, but when you look at chess internationally, it's second only to soccer in the number of participants," said Toronto teacher and chess player, Roger Langen. He convinced Toronto's York school board to make chess a part of the math curriculum in Grade 3. "By the time a child is age eight, he or she is ready to take on chess. At this age, children can learn in a way adults will never know."

John Rutherford, president and events co-ordinator of COREL's Northern Ontario Schools Chess League, said the interest in chess being shown by youth is increasing every year.

"This year I expect 1,000 kids from Northern Ontario to play in regional championships."

And Aboriginal involvement in chess is also on the rise, representing 20 per cent of the Northern Ontario team at the Canadian Youth Championships.

"It's a dream of mine to bring chess to all the remote communities in Northern Ontario," said Rutherford. "I want to get a good representation from all the communities. The interest and the talent is there."

For more information about COREL's Northern Ontario Schools Chess program contact John Rutherford at chessguy_eh@yahoo.ca.Some good Web sites for kids' chess are www.chessforkids.on.ca and www.kidslovechess.com.