Monday, October 8, 2007

Parent's dinner and a movie chess nights

Well, I am back from my trip to Denver. I did try stopping by the chess tables at the outdoor 16th Ave mall in downtown Denver. For those of you that have never been there, about 4 stone chess tables are located in the middle of the street (no cars on the street if you were wondering) and are almost constantly inhabited by local enthusiasts. I was looking for some games, but it was during the Rockies game 3 win, so the area was deserted. Maybe next time.

This Friday evening I am directing a moderately sized scholastic tournament in Lemont from 6pm-9pm. I have also done similar "mini-camps at other schools for that time frame. I find that many parents enjoy its as it leaves them just enough time for date night, while the kids enjoy and event of their own. It always surprises me that other schools don't try the same thing. As an aside I am always willing to help put this type of event on.

Does your school have any interesting traditions or events that aren't very common or are unique?

2 comments:

Tom Panelas said...

At about this time last we--that is, the chess club of Ray Elementary School in Chicago--had a Sunday chess picnic at the North Avenue Chess Pavilion. It was a family affair, very different from your standard tournaments and club meetings, and it was a lot of fun. Everybody brought food, and since it was a nice day those who wanted to play chess played chess while others played football or baseball or just walked around the lakefront. Ron Washington, one of the pavilion regulars, played a simul with the kids and some of the parents. This year we'd hoped to do it again, perhaps making variants the theme -- Bughouse, Fischer Random -- but we just haven't gotten it together. I highly recommend the idea, though, for school chess clubs that want to have fun and get together under different circumstances.

We also have indoor weekend chess parties in the winter. One chess family in particular likes to host them. On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, kids and parents get together over pizza or pot luck and play a few rounds.

glennpan said...

So far we have 45 kids from 7 different schools. I will post results over the weekend.