A Chess Set in Every Classroom

 By Chuck and Michele Beach

 A unique community project brought chess into the lives of virtually every elementary student in the city of Rockford, Illinois, in January 1999.

 The Chess for Kids project started off with a simple idea: to put two chess sets in every K-6 classroom in the city. When we started a chess club at ML King Elementary School two years ago, immediately we saw the enjoyment and enthusiasm shared by the over 100 students who joined.  It then became our goal to share the excitement and the educational benefits of chess with other schools in the community. 

 Many parents from other Rockford schools had contacted us asking for information about how to start a chess club, but for most the task seemed too formidable.  So we decided to jump-start the process.  After some research, it was determined that for about $60 per school, or about $3600, we could get two chess sets in every elementary classroom in Rockford.

 Raising the necessary funds was quite a task, but the community was very supportive.  The local newspaper, the Rockford Register Star, saw the value of the project and ran editorials encouraging donations.  Assistance came in from kind-hearted members of the community as well as area businesses, including a $1000 contribution from the Sundstrand Corporation.  The USCF provided free-of-charge additional materials and Pressman Toys even waived their shipping and handling charges when they heard about this worthwhile effort.  The list of people who provided support, both monetarily and otherwise, is simply too numerous to give appropriate recognition within this article.  In a few short months, we had reached our goal. 

 Finally, on a cold day in January, volunteers from seven area school chess clubs gathered together and set off on their mission.  By lunchtime, all sets were delivered and 16,000 Rockford students were one step closer to becoming Grand Masters.

Links: Pictures

(submitted to the Illinois Chess Bulletin - Feb 1999) (Not published)