About the Chess Club
Craigslea Chess Club began in 2019 and quickly gained momentum with many students showing interest in the game. Chess Club provides an opportunity for students and teachers to challenge other players across all year levels, thereby passing on and learning new skills. Chess Club is coordinated by Craigslea SHS Librarian, Mrs Kathy Giezen.
Often known as a game for the intellectually gifted, chess is the best sport to exercise the most important organ in our bodies: the brain. While Chess Grandmaster, Bobby Fischer, made it popular in the 1950s and 1960s, the game is still widely played around the world today among participants of all ages, from the young to the elderly.
The recent Netflix series, "The Queen's Gambit", has certainly reinforced this growing interest. The game of chess might not help you build your biceps or tone your abs, but your lifelong mental health can certainly benefit from it.
Highlights
Each semester, we hold a tournament for all players who wish to enter. The tournament allows all students to play against others of varying levels of skill. At the end of the tournament, a champion is announced and awarded a medallion. Along the way, students attend meetings where a variety of techniques and tactics are distributed to the group.
Why Play Chess?
Here are the Top 10 reasons from Health Fitness Revolution and author of the book 'ReSYNC Your Life', Samir Becic. We will visit each of these reasons in our Chess Club summaries in the Craigslea SHS newsletter:
- Promotes brain growth
- Exercises both sides of the brain
- Raises your IQ
- Helps prevent Alzheimer's
- Sparks your creativity
- Increases problem-solving skills
- Teaches planning and foresight
- Improves reading skills
- Optimises memory improvement
- Improves recovery from stroke or disability
How to get Involved
For students who are seeking more information or would like to express their interest, please see Craigslea SHS Librarian, Mrs Kathy Giezen, at the Craigslea SHS Library every Monday, Wednesday or Friday.