Cops & Kids Tournament Observes National Chess Day

Around the country this weekend thousands will be chessing it up, observing National Chess Day (Saturday, October 8).

The third go-around of Millionaire Chess is already underway in Atlantic City with more than two dozen grandmasters and others of varied skill levels competing. The 25th Midwest Class Championships kick off later today (Friday, October 7) with a two-day option beginning Saturday. 

On the other end of the entry fee scale will be the second-ever Cops and Kids event in Chicago, organized by Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation (RKCF), the 14th Precinct of the Chicago Police Department and 1st Ward Alderman Proco Joe Moren.

How does free entry with a canned food donation sound? (Editor's Note: I wonder if that would work for the Midwest Class?  Give it a try -- and report back!)

Chicago youth will face off at the chess board Saturday (October 8) with multiple trophies in several sections available. There will be team awards as well. Players also receive a free lunch -- with a nominal fee for friends and family.

According to David Heiser of RKCF, "The impetus for the event was a desire to help reduce violence in Chicago while continuing our tradition of building community and life skills through chess."

Heiser continued, "What we are trying to accomplish is to foster positive community relations by bringing the community and police together for a fun day of chess."

Details can be found on the ICA calendar and at the Renaissance Knights website.

Moos Elementary School will serve as the host site, 1711 North California Avenue, in Chicago. The organizers indicate that there will be a limit of 150 players accepted into the event.

The food donations will be placed with the wonderful Chicago Food Depository for distribution to the needy.

According to Heiser, "Asking for a food donation accomplishes two things:  One is using chess events as a way to have a positive impact in the community and two is so the kids feel like they are helping to contribute to the community."