Photo: Tom White for The New York Times
The Chess-in-the-Schools program has sought to foster analytical skills on the theory that these will help students succeed academically. The group teaches 20,000 children a year and calculates that it has taught 425,000 children since 1986. Children gather to learn the game at the group’s headquarters in Manhattan.
On the plane ride back from Blacksburg, VA & my exhilarating visit on the campus of Virgina Tech (among my highlights was a java chat with Nikki Giovanni!), I read a great story in the NY Times/Giving Section about Marley Kaplan & the Chess-in-the-Schools program. After becoming disenchanted with her career/life in the banking world she made a decision to pursue work in the world of “making a difference” aka the non-profit sector - read more!
This story will serve to further embolden the efforts of “social do-gooders” (me included) who have accepted their “calling” to be human catalysts and make a difference in the lives of others.
BTW, back-in-the-day my older brother (Donnie) used me as his chess practice “victim” to hone his game strategies, skills and moves - I learned how to concede gracefully!!
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