The Maywood Chess Club
Just down the street from our Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorney’s office in Maywood is a community program that teaches important life lessons to kids using the game of chess. The Maywood chess club under the direction of former library trustee Mr. Gordon Hanson meets every Wednesday from 5 to 7 pm at the Maywood Library.
On any given week around 15 kids participate in the club. The kids range from having zero knowledge of the game to those considered “tournament” ready. At the club, the kids play and learn from one another. They also benefit from the instruction and mentoring from Mr. Hanson and a couple of his adult volunteers. Having other caring adults there ensure that each child is given the attention they need to improve in their game. The club is always looking for a few more volunteers.
For Mr. Hanson, chess is not just a game. He believes that chess can teach kids transferable skills needed to navigate other areas of life. As in chess, kids learn that life is about making the right moves and that every move has consequences. In a recent interview Hanson said, “If you make a good move, you have a good consequence. The thing is… you have to know how to strategize and think several moves ahead in order to get the outcome you want.”
Playing chess on a regular basis can also:
- Raise a person’s IQ
- It exercises both sides of the brain.
- It helps improve memory and concentration
- It teaches planning and foresight
- It increases problem-solving skills and creativity
- It builds inner confidence
Compared to the games played by most kids today, chess can dramatically impact a kid’s life in a positive way. Thank You Mr. Gordon Hanson for your personal donation of time, talent and treasure on behalf of the kids in Maywood and for the opportunity you extended to us to get involved. We consider this a strategic move!