There, you will see children and adults gathered around, staring intently at chessboards. They're playing this centuries-old game thanks to Project Chess, a program of the Washoe County School District and run by a group of very dedicated volunteers. Project Chess is the brainchild of Irene Dixon-Darnell, a caring woman who dedicates her life to helping others. She has found that kids love the game, and as they play, they show considerable concentration and thought. We see attitude change.
Teachers notice differences too.
They find that students who have been part of the chess club exhibit higher-order thinking skills. Those kids understand how to break down problems into parts, how to be critical problem solvers. Officials of the bureau believe chess gives kids an alternative to drugs and after school gangs. We sweat out our grants every year. For ten weeks, Project Chess volunteers go into Washoe County classrooms once a week where they teach children for two hours.