Skills learned playing chess help challenge players’ minds
by Connie Cone Sexton
Phoenix chess tournament 2010
It was 12:59 p.m. and counting.
“Five, four, three, two, one,” the children yelled, some still racing to find their places at the long stretch of cafeteria tables.
They took their seats according to their assignment, playing the black or white chess pieces. As the 1 p.m. scheduled round began, the room that had been a jangle of noise was suddenly quiet, save for the rustle of hands moving across the multitude of boards.
The five-round tournament, which had begun mid-morning Saturday, would stretch into mid-afternoon. More than 200 children in kindergarten through eighth grades had come to play in the event run by The Chess Emporium, a northeast Phoenix business that caters to young players.
The tournament was at Explorer Middle School, 22401 N. 40th St. in Phoenix. Another Chess Emporium-led tourney is set for Saturday in Ahwatukee. It’s all leading up to the Governor’s Cup State Championship, which also will be directed by the Chess Emporium on April 24-25 in Chandler.
For Chess Emporium owner Scott Freneaux, it’s all very exciting.
He began his business in 1993 as a one-man operation. About three years later, he settled into a location in northeast Phoenix and saw a wave of children coming in to learn the game.
Over the years, he’s added several coaches to help teach after-school programs at the store or in schools, including those in Phoenix, Cave Creek and Scottsdale. About 2,500 children a year take part in one of the company’s chess classes or events.
The classes offered in the schools generally run about $130 a semester.
“We had as many as 3,100 kids, then the recession hit,” Freneaux said. But interest seems to be picking up.
“Interest in chess is growing, not just in the city, but across the nation.”
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Chess Emporium does a very good job.