The Cumberland County Chess Club hosted its 43rd annual Cumberland County Chess Championship on Saturday, December 12, at the community complex on Livingston Road in Crossville, Tenn.
The five-rounds of competition were open to residents of and people who work in Cumberland County, including people under the age of 18. Harry Sabine, the secretary/treasurer of the CCCC, said, “We have opted to not require [a U.S. Chess Federation membership] at this tournament because we’d like every human in the county to play. …”
Sabine, who is also one of the founders of the club and a national tournament director for the USCF, said that he believes children benefit from learning chess. He said, “I would maintain – as many players would – that chess is good for kids. It teaches them to think. As far as I’m concerned, it definitely helps in their studies and everything else.
“If you are into mind games at all, it’s the classic. In an hour, you can learn how the pieces move, but then, for a lifetime, you won’t necessarily learn how to play well. I mean there’s no limit to what you can learn.”
The club has had many young members in its 43-year history. Sabine said, “We’ve had kids even pre-kindergarten that play. … The age of the player has nothing to do with how good they are. We had a third grader that was ranked consistently in the top five in the United States in his age group, and he could play adults.”
Wendi Fischer wrote an article for the Johns Hopkins University School of Education in which she identified several skills children improve when they play chess:
- Thinking strategically
- Weighing options before making decisions
- Anticipating consequences
- Developing self-confidence
- Increasing academic performance
Kathy Obenberger volunteered to enter data into the computer for the tournament while her son competed. When her children became interested in chess three years ago, she began leading the Crossville Home School Chess Club.
Obenberger said, “I think it encourages people to take their time and think which is something that doesn’t happen much in our society anymore – texting, saying things and regretting having said them. With chess you have to think about it. … And if you make a mistake in life, it’s not the end of the world. Life goes on, and you just have to do your best to recover from it and not just give up. That’s my goal for them learning from chess – in addition to it’s a fun game.”
The top 10 players and winners in seven categories received plaques, and all other participants received medals. Two of the special category winners were high school students. This year’s top player, Bill Hall, received a plaque at the 5:30 p.m. awards ceremony and will have his name engraved on a plaque that hangs in the lobby of the Cumberland County Bank.
The CCCC meets for general play every Thursday at 7 p.m., at Dairy Queen at 760 North Main St. in the Woodmere Mall shopping center.
For more information about membership and local competitions, visit www.CumberlandCountyChess.org.