The Wellsville Carnegie Public Library has purchased teaching chess sets to help youth learn to play chess. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

WELLSVILLE — Due to the demand of area youth wanting to learn to play, the Wellsville Carnegie Public Library will host a Kids Chess Club, with the first meeting taking place on Sept. 17 from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

According to Rachel Freed, youth services manager, the library has been doing game days for youth for some time, but those were primarily electronic games. The library also has a bucket of random board games and a couple of kids asked her if she could play chess and she told them yes.

She noted other kids started watching chess games and asking how to play and if she could teach them and that led to other kids asking to be taught how to play.

“For whatever reason last year, it just took off with a bunch of kids wanting to play or learn to play,” Freed said. “I was kind of feeling out if we did a chess club, a day of everybody playing chess, would you guys want to do it and a lot of them said yes.”

Freed noted even over the summer several kids would continue to come in wanting to play and would ask her if she was free to play chess. So, the decision to have a chess club was made.

Freed said the time for the club is broad to accommodate students who may come from Beaver Local Schools, East Liverpool Christian School or other districts. The whole time is open for when the kids want to come in and take turns, watch and learn.

The chess club is open for students who want to learn the game in grade school through high school.

“I do think it should be something where the kids are wanting to learn or already have some skill,” Freed said.

The library purchased a couple of chess sets which have directions on how the pieces move on each other to help the kids learn to play. With multiple boards they can have several games going at once.

Freed said benefits of kids learning to play chess include developing problem-solving skills, learning to plan ahead and slow down and think out strategies.

Any child interested in participating can just drop in during the meeting. There is no pre-registration or sign up.

It is not yet determined if the club will meet bi-monthly or monthly.

For additional information contact the library at 330-532-1526.