8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 3-9, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Thinking three steps ahead while guarding all your pieces on the black-and-white-checkered board requires visualizing and anticipating your opponent’s next moves. Chess is a sport or a game, depending on who you ask, that brings people from different ages, backgrounds and skill levels together. “One hard thing for all the players is to watch their pieces, because when they’re not paying attention, there’s a piece that they’re not observing closely, and the other opponent would just grab it for free,” says Michael O’Brien, chess instructor for D.R.O. Chess for Kids in Del Rey Oaks. While chess strategy requires a lot of planning, a growing number of local clubs for youth focus on developing the next generation of players based less on a fully developed game plan and more on enthusiasm. There are more than 10 chess clubs for all ages across the county, and O’Brien says interest in kids’ chess is growing in the region: “It may catch up to the Bay Area.” Local groups focus on teaching children, ages 7-13, the basics of how to move each piece on the board, such as “L” moves for knights and diagonals for bishops, or the twopiece move called castling. Chess provides players with a skill set they can use in real life beyond the board, like critical thinking, planning, decision-making, problem-solving and creative thinking, both teachers and participants say. “It helps them with logic. It helps them with calculations. It helps them with concentration,” O’Brien says. “I like that it challenges your mind to problem-solve and find ways to come up with new solutions than what you originally thought of,” says Emily Mellin, 12, a Falcons Chess Club member from Pacific Grove. Being part of the club, she says, has expanded the pool of players she plays with beyond friends and family members, while also helping her at school. “Ever since I’ve started doing chess, I feel like I’ve been getting better grades,” Mellin says. O’Brien—self-described as a middleof-the-road chess player—taught his sons how to play in their childhood, then got back into chess education a generation later by teaching his granddaughter and her cousin. The Falcons Chess Club meets at the Marina Branch Library and D.R.O. Chess for Kids at Old Town Hall in Del Rey Oaks. Both groups formed last year, meeting every Thursday and one Saturday per month, respectively. “It’s fun to watch them grow,” says Joe Rice, the Falcons’ instructor. “In the six months that I’ve been with them, I see them growing taller—and growing smarter and more confident. And of course, they’re getting to be better chess players, too.” Nearly four years ago, Rice joined Robert Gumerlock in starting monthly chess tournaments at the Seaside Branch Library. (That grew out of Gumerlock’s chess club for kids that launched during the pandemic with outdoor games on Broadway Avenue in Seaside.) “When we outgrew the library, we started circulating the tournament throughout the area,” Rice says. Places they play include the YMCA in Monterey and Otter Student Union at CSU Monterey Bay. Emilio Carreon, 21, a CSUMB student and president of Chess @ CSUMB, says playing against a fifth-grader was humbling. “It doesn’t matter what age you are, there will be people that are better than you,” Carreon says, noting some children have played chess longer than he has. Chess players from all ages sign up to participate in tournaments, which are free for children in grades K-12 and $10 for other participants. Each tournament draws between 30-40 players of all ages. The next takes place on April 12, named after Duncan Oxley, a Marina chess player who was a local instructor and pioneer for online chess tournaments. Duncan Oxley Memorial chess tournament registration begins 9:15-10am Saturday, April 12. Salinas Valley Community Church, 368 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas. Open to players from beginner to master. 524-4488, jos. rice@comcast.net. Tiled Tactics A game that blends strategy and competition—chess— is on the rise among youth in Monterey County. By Celia Jiménez Members of the Falcons Chess Club, who meet weekly at the Marina Branch Library, are placed in groups of four and face opponents of a similar skill level to encourage growth. The club continues to expand by word-of-mouth. “I see them growing smarter and more confident.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS There’s Value in Membership! Membership with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce means increased visibility, trusted credibility, and deeper community connections. Whether you're looking to expand, collaborate, or simply make a difference, the Chamber is here to help your business thrive. We invite you to be part of our award-winning business community. Join the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce today! Join Today! • montereychamber.com • info@montereychamber.com • 831.648.5350 JOIN TODAY!
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