Chris has previously coached the England under 11s Team and regularly teaches chess to children as young as 6 years old. He skilfully held the attention of 21 children from 7 different schools aged 6 - 13 years old for an hour whilst talking through the elements of the game. After listening spellbound, the children practised their new annotation skills whilst playing a simultaneous game with Chris as he worked his way round the room giving each child individual attention.
In the afternoon the children had a session with Imagination Gaming exploring unusual chess related games whilst the adults talked with Chris about the best way to support our young players. It was agreed that children really benefit from the opportunity to play friendly matches with children from other schools and that pairing with a neighbouring school is a good first step. There is a junior chess club, Burngreave Checkmate, running at Burngreave Library on Monday 5 - 6pm run by Jeremy Hamm and children aged 8 - 13 can also play at Upper Wincobank Chapel Junior Youth Club, meeting on Tuesdays 4.30 - 6.00pm. Chris Benjamin from Ecclesfield Secondary School is planning an inter-schools chess tournament in July. Watch this space!
Many thanks to Firth Park Community Arts College for hosting the event and for all CU schools in North Sheffield for passing the information on. If you or your school would be interested in arranging a friendly game please let the CU office know.
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