This Friday, is the 4th anniversary of NESSP Kids’ Chess.

NESSP Kids’ Chess was started on 2nd June 2013, to provide a playground for elementary school chess players in Chelmsford and neighboring towns. This is part of the many charity activities led by NESSP. Registration is open to all, and there is no entry fee. Participating players can choose to make a voluntary contribution of any charity item like food or clothing which are donated to various organizations in need, or to area schools.

As the interest levels grew, the group began getting help from some of the older / higher rated players. And then we felt the need for a regular trainer, and to offer training programs. The group initially twice a week, on Friday nights for classes and on Sunday mornings for practice / tournaments.

Training programs are offered round the school year for players of all levels, again on an entirely non-profit basis. Some of our trainer profiles include a former US Amateur Women’s Champion, a Class A player. The training programs include classroom lessons, puzzle sessions, and mini tournaments.

To provide a forum for the players who get training in the NESSP programs, the concept of starting USCF rated tournaments took shape. Till date, on an average, NESSP has been conducting one rated tournament each month, for the past three years, each tournament, attended by around 30 players.

The unique feature of NESSP tournaments is that each and every event is volunteer-driven, and non-profit. Right from setting up chairs and tables, to post-event cleanup, all event-tasks are handled by players’ parents. All the entry fees collected, (after deducting costs), are redistributed to the players in terms of school supplies, gifts, chess equipment or free entries to upcoming events. We even serve a free pizza lunch to all the players and accompanying family members, at no extra charge, for all our tournaments.

NESSP’s Chess kids have been consistently playing / winning trophies in most of New England’s prestigious scholastic events like the Hurvitz Cup, MA Open, NE Open, Spiegel Cup, etc. In 2015, We also ran an annual chess Grand Prix, awarding trophies to top three players in NESSP events.

NESSP also ran a Kids.Vs.Seniors. Chess program at a nearby Senior Center, for two years 2014-16. The Senior center supports the kids’ interest in chess and the parents make a contribution the Senior center. This is one chess tournament where the whole town wins!

NESSP is scheduled to a fully owned permanent temple in Groton, by summer 2017. The new location will be a $ 10 million, 28-acre facility, including a 500 seat hall, which obviously means, a lot more chess to come.

Its all about kids, having fun, playing chess….Don’t move until you see it !!!!

Support NESSP by playing in the 4th anniversary special tournament. Click the link below to signup:
http://www.masschess.org/Events/Event_Details.aspx?Event_ID=5844

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