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Chess Instruction

Arkansas Scholastic Chess Association (ASCA) - See their entry below under "Organizations".

Organizations and Sources of Supplies

United States Chess Federation (USCF) - The USCF is the governing body for rated chess play  in the US.  They have a group dedicated to promoting scholastic chess across the US.  Their “A Guide to Scholastic Chess” is free, even to non-members, and is quite helpful in starting and running a scholastic chess club.  The U.S. Chess Trust's Chess-For-Youth program can provide a limited number of free sets, boards, and USCF memberships to qualified participants.  For details, visit their web page at www.uschess.org/about/forms/FactsAboutCFYProgram.pdf.  To apply for the Chess-For-Youth program, get the application at http://www.uschess.org/about/forms/chessforyouthform.pdf.  The USCF also sells books and chess supplies.  (3054 US Route 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553, 914-562-8350, www.uschess.org)

Arkansas Scholastic Chess Association (ASCA) - This organization is an affiliate of the USCF aimed at promoting both rated and unrated scholastic play at all grade levels in Arkansas, and publishes a quarterly newsletter which includes an Events Calendar of Arkansas tournaments.    Can provide instruction and workshops for kids, parents and teachers.  Acts as a clearinghouse for information about upcoming rated and unrated chess events, as well as information about where to find supplies and assistance for setting up scholastic chess programs.  (Paul Hill, Director, PO Box 599, Beebe, AR 72012, 501-882-3296 ext. 22,

Chess in Education - Source for boards, clocks, books, etc.  (8636 Madison Drive, N. Richland Hills, TX 76180, 817-656-3841, www.chessineducation.com)

Chess in the Schools -  “Chess-in-the-Schools is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to stimulating and enhancing learning skills by teaching a core, in-school chess program to kindergarten through eighth grade children in New York's inner-city public schools” (from their website www.chessintheschools.org).  Has information about running school programs and research material related to links between chess and academic performance.

Coaches' Corner - has a lot of good info on running a chess program (http://www.geocities.com/chess_camp/coaches_corner_home.html)

American Chess School - who states their mission as "to research the benefits of chess, to teach the art and science of chess to its students by providing them with expert instruction, and to organize opportunities to hone their skills."  Their free summary of the educational benefits of chess, based on several academic research studies, is available at http://www.amchess.org/research, and is a great tool to help you promote your program within your administration.

Arkansas Activities Association - for downloading participation forms, specifics about player eligibility, etc.  (www.ahsaa.org)

Tournament Directors

Dave Clark (Judsonia area), 870-251-2662 or   
Paul Hill (Beebe area), 501-882-3296 or
Tyler Madsen (Fort Smith area), 479-478-3088 or

Publications

Chess Life is published by the USCF for its members and affiliates.  Your club may purchase an affiliate membership to the USCF and will receive a copy of this magazine.

Chess Cafe (www.chesscafe.com) is not only an online source for books and equipment, but an excellent site for obtaining free chess instructional articles in the form of monthly columns aimed at players of all levels.  (Particularly recommended for novice chessplayers and coaches is Dan Heisman's column Novice Nook.) 

The following list suggests books for helping scholastic players improve.  Most should be available from one or more of the sources above.

                Title                                                                                  Author

Chess Tactics for Students                                                           John Bain
Comprehensive Chess Course, Volumes I & II                                GM Lev Alburt
The Chess Tactics Workbook                                                        Al Woolum
Everyone's 2nd Chess Book                                                          Dan Heisman
Pawn and Queen and In Between                                                  Jeff Coakley
Winning Chess Strategy for Kids                                                    Jeff Coakley
Best Lessons Of a Chess Coach                                                    Sunil Weeramantry
Logical Chess Move by Move                                                        Irving Chernev
 

Software

Many chess-playing programs also have instructional modules.  Some popular ones are the "Chessmaster" series, “Maurice Ashley Teaches Chess”, “Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess”.  There are also software programs specifically aimed at instructing in various aspects of the game.  The “Think Like a King”  series (available from the USCF) has several modules and is written specifically for schoolchildren.

ChessUp.net (http://chessup.net/)  Create chess diagrams, learn chess rules, participate in a forum to discuss various aspects of chess.

Community Chess Clubs in Arkansas

Three Rivers Chess Club - CHESS IN THE THREE RIVERS AREA: MELBOURNE: The Three Rivers Chess Club meets 1st, 3rd and sometimes the 5th Mondays at 6:30 pm  at the The Bookery (870-368-7310) located in the Main St. Mini Mall Hwy. 69, across from the Red Mule in Melbourne.  Also meets on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm in Batesville at the Hastings Bookstore on Harrison Street.
 

Contacts:
John Purtle..870-368-3344        
Stephen Paulson...870-368-4387        
Bill Beck..870-793-3420        
Stan Carter..870-793-8840    
Website:  www.angelfire.com/ar2/3rivers/index.html

The Little Rock Chess Club - The Little Rock Chess Club mid-week meets on Tuesdays in the Barnes & Noble Book Store Coffee shop - located at 11500 Finanical Centre Pkwy, Little Rock, in the coffee shop from about 6:30 pm until 10:30 pm. We offer instruction on various aspects of chess and will answers any questions about the game. We have many new players in attendance along with regular club members. The instruction is free and membership is not required.

We also meet every Friday night starting about 7:00 PM until ? at St. Vincent Hospital (Markham & University) in the De Soto Room

LRCC hosts USCF Quick Chess rated tourneys (Game in 29 minutes) on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of each month at St. Vincent Hospital (Markham & University) in the DeSoto Room. Registration is 7p-7:30p, 1st Rd at 8pm, 3 or 4 rounds based on entries, $$b/entries.

Searcy Knightlife Chess Club - (home of the Searcy Open each June) - Meets Thursdays 7:30 pm at Hastings Book Store in the Exit 46 mall west of the freeway.  Arrive by 7 p.m. and you're sure to get a game with one of our early birds.  We're a USCF affiliate that plays ladder matches, random rated/unrated club tournaments and just for fun, too.  No membership fees except for USCF rated events  Everyone is welcome.  Website:  http://knightlife.freeservers.com/

UofA Chess Club - Everyone's welcome to participate, whether or not they are affiliated with the University. Meetings are every Friday, starting at 5 p.m., near RZ's coffee shop in the UA Union. Contact Zach Wyatt: mwyatt@uark.edu Fayetteville Chess Club -- Meets informally every Thursday at 7 p.m., Arsaga's on Gregg Street.

Fort Smith Chess Club - meets informally on Mondays, 7:00 pm, at Sweet Bay on Rodgers Avenue. Contact Ernest Ciaione - 479-484-0156. Website: http://www.angelfire.com/ar3/fortsmithchessclub/

Russelville Chess Club - Meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at The Higher Grounds coffee house in downtown Russellville. We are always looking for new members. Players of all levels are welcome to come join us. Contacts: Phone: Rex Rhodes - 501-968-5864 or

Batesville Chess Club - Meets every Friday, 6:30 - 9:30 pm at the 1st Community Bank. Contacts: Jason Qian, 870-834-3681 or or Stan Carter - 870-793-8840 - or

Jonesboro Nazarene Knights Chess Club - Meets every Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. at Forest Home Church of the Nazarene, 1922 Race Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Everyone is welcome to play regardless of age, skill level, or church affiliation. For more information, contact the church office by phone (870)932-9069 or

Internet Chess Clubs

 These web sites allow you to play over the internet against chessplayers of all ages, strengths, and nationalities:

 USCF Live (www.uschesslive.org)

The Internet Chess Club (www.chessclub.com)

Chess Net (www.chessnet.net)