A Letter from a Library
Our library chess clubs help put the “C” in CSC - both of them! Run by volunteers around the country, these clubs are a linchpin of our Community Programme, offering adults and children alike the chance to learn the basics of the game, to socialise, and hopefully to improve their chess.
Stanmore Library Chess Club recently passed its fourth anniversary. We were delighted to receive the following message from John Ryan, our hugely dedicated and tireless tutor who has made the club such a great success:
I started Stanmore Library Chess in early 2022 and to date, as commence the fourth year the Library footfall (key performance indicator) recently notified me that we have have had approximately 300 people through the door! Many parents, siblings, teachers and players have expressed their gratitude for getting them their foot on the first rung of the chess ladder which makes all the furniture arranging, the admin and the coaching worth it so players can go on to play in competitions or just enjoy social play, interaction and learning.
Stanmore Library as a venue is light, airy and the gender balance is not too bad but there is more to do here as I actively promote chess for women and girls to a number of forums that CSC are aware of. We play OTB, traditional chess with clocks and current attendees range in age from 6 to 86 years of age ! We have had the pleasure of two twins aged 90 attending to play and, of course Bodhana Sivanandan has played two simul's with us, winning 33 out of 34 boards with one draw. Her father Siva keeps in regular contact.
We celebrate the various schools, Aylward Primary, Haberdashers, St John's Primary, Avanti House to name just a few whose pupils regularly attend after school and in half term with some showing such progression and enthusiasm in chess that they go onto explore joining Harrow Chess Club. We have players from other chess set ups attending (Willesden, Pinner and Kensal Rise Libraries) for idea's and tips.
All equipment is provided by CSC to whom I am very grateful. We are acknowledged by the ECF. In addition we actively promote ChessKid and Lichess and ChessFest. We have quizzes, puzzles and demonstrations underpinned by CSC workbooks along with prizes for openings and for being the most improved player(s).
In closing.....A club can give the impression of being exclusive, whereas as 'Community Chess' is by definition inclusive, and more relevant today with fresh ideas and a constant throughput of players. There is no doubt that Chess benefits children and adults well being - it is gymnastics for the brain with fun !
C - Chess
H - Helping
E - Enhance
S - Student
S - Skills
Our huge thanks to John, his team at Stanmore Library, and indeed all our library volunteers around the country for their massive contribution to the work of the charity. For details of timings of our library clubs, please see our library directory.
