12 total beginners have learned to play chess from scratch in just 10x 1-hour lessons at the 50 Plus Centre in Regent Street, Shanklin.
Charles Charalambous – the Island’s Chess in Schools and Communities coordinator and tutor – delivered the course, which was sponsored by WightAid.
At the end of the course, some of the pupils said that they hadn’t realised that chess could be so easy to learn.
Playing chess made them analyse each situation, helping to resolve problems. It relaxed them and gave them more self-confidence, so much so that 2 of the pupils have started their own chess club.
Anyone on the Island wishing to play chess may do so at the Crab & Lobster Tap, Grove Road, Ventnor Friday from 14:30. There is also a chess club at the Brading Community Centre on the High Street on Thursdays from 11:00 to 13:00.
A further new chess club is at the Independent Arts Creative Hub, 48 High Street/St. James Square, Newport, on Saturdays from 12:00 to 13:30. The Hub will be holding a chess open day on 2nd July from 12:00 to 15:00 with a giant chess set placed outside on the square, weather permitting. The club can be contacted via Independent Arts’ website independentarts.org.uk or by phone 01983 822437.
There will be a winter chess competition held on 3rd December, sponsored by local Estate Agent Arthur Wheeler. For further information contact [email protected].
Is it a sport or is it a game?
Both