Reaching youth through chess
Byron Dobson, Democrat senior writer 12:46 p.m. EDT October 30, 2015
Having spent many of his adult years in uniform, from the military to corrections to security, Learnon Leon figures he’s learned something about keeping others on the right path.
And even though life has provided the Tallahassee native with an ample number of experiences and lessons to school others, now he wants to reach back to something he learned in 1978 and continues to perfect today:
Playing chess.
Leon, 61, wants to reach out to Tallahassee’s youth and engage them in the skill, discipline and patience it takes to first, understand the board game, second, enjoy its qualities and challenges and finally, relate to the pieces on the chess board to life.
Do you always want to be a pawn? What does it take to move across the board? What does it take to get there?
I first learned of Leon’s interest when a co-worker shared a Facebook entry he had posted:
“Chess save lives in our Community” I am offering Chess lessons in the black Community in the Tallahassee Area. If we can keep one child or adult out the jail/funeral home it’s worth it. Please post this quest to families who can benefit from this opportunity. Get your kid involved in my beginner “Chess Lessons”. Email for more information: gnmoney4u@yahoo.com.
This led me to a small strip of offices on East Park Avenue, near Capital Circle. One tiny office houses Leon’s independent insurance business, where small files are neatly stacked and certificates and plaques adorn the walls.
It also houses his passion, as two complete chess boards and pieces were lined up on the main desk across from where Leon was sitting.
It’s large enough to start teaching a couple of youth at a time. Leon, who calls his venture, “Save a Life Chess Club,” is ready, if any youth take him up on his offer, which he is promoting through word-of-mouth and social media.
When asked about the “we” he often refers to when discussing his offer, Leon explains that his partner in this is God. It turns out that Leon is a licensed preacher. He’s also a gospel singer. He doesn’t have a church, but is a member of Metropolitan Cathedral of Truth, the spiritual worship center founded by Richard and Helena Barrington, in Havana.
“Working with kids in the community has always been important,” said Leon. “It’s not been easy to connect with the people and the things I wanted to do to help kids. A lot of times this is because of finances.”
Leon, who served in military police while in the Army, worked for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office from 1994 to 2006, first in the former Boot Camp and then corrections. He then joined LCSO’s reserve posse, where he is now a lieutenant and also a security guard at a major insurance entity.
Although he juggles his part-time insurance business, his job in security and the sheriff’s posse, he figures he can fit in time to teach chess. If there’s enough interest, he’d like to get other teachers involved and expand it to a local after-school program.
“Chess is a game that connects with everyone, from adults to youth,” said Leon, dressed in the starched white shirt and slacks of his security uniform.
“The game of chess is really the game of life. Through the game, we are able to sit down with kids and explain the game of life, all at the same time.
“The more kids we can get involved in this game, the more lives we can save. They need to be connected to something else rather than being on the corner.”
Leon explains further what he means about the game of chess and the game of life, while stealing glances at timed-chess matches being played on a YouTube channel on his laptop:
Know the pieces on the board, because without that knowledge, you can’t play the game.
Know your next move; understand your opponent’s next move.
“Your opponent and you each have a plan and that’s to capture the king,” he said. “It’s the same in life. How do you become a doctor or policeman or whatever? You have to take some steps to get there. The only thing is, there is opposition, just like in life.
“A lot of times young people don’t’ see that, they didn’t have goals, they didn’t have role models,” he continued. “You learn all of these things in the game of chess.”
Furthering his analogies of being successful in life and winning in chess, Leon says he will explain the role of pawns, and if the right moves aren’t played, the pawn will never advance.
“You can be a pawn and still be successful, but if you never finish school, you’ll always be a pawn,” he said. “But a pawn can be turned into a queen, the most powerful piece on the board. Sometimes the bigger pieces on the other side of the board make a mistake and you will be able to take that piece.
“You just need to stay in the game. Just because you make an F on a test doesn’t mean you can’t come back and make an A.
“It all relates back to life. One wrong move by your opponent can change the whole game,” he said.
By now, I noticed that more than one match has played out on the Internet channel. But in reality, Leon said, he’s been in matches lasting two hours.
What’s important is knowing what you’re working with, what you want to achieve and your next move in getting here. The key is being prepared and patient.
Leon’s ready for the first youth to take a seat.
Know someone who wants to play?
Learnon Leon is interested in working with youth ages 8 to 15. He can be reached at gnmoney4@yahoo.com or at 850-408-8626. He’d also like to hear from adults who share his vision.
Source: http://www.tallahassee.com