If you have ever wanted to try your hand at chess, a free event in Lethbridge over Thanksgiving weekend might be right for you.
The University of Lethbridge’s ‘Chess for Life’ program hosts ‘ChessFest’ at the Galt Museum on Sunday, October 13.
From 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the interactive event will feature a youth chess tournament, demonstrations, outdoor chess and family play through Building Brains Together.
“It’s exciting to be able to put together an event like this and showcase chess in a community setting,” says Jade Oldfield, a neuroscience graduate student.
“There are so many positives that come from learning and playing the game of chess, we want to expose as many people as possible to its benefits. Plus, it’s just fun to play!”
‘Chess for Life’ is a restorative justice program at the University of Lethbridge.
It allows youth to go to the university for 25 hours of chess instruction as an alternative sentencing measure. The program is officially recognized by Alberta Justice.
The institution says, “Chess is used as a vehicle for change because it provides safe and structured opportunities for youth to practice and develop skills such as inhibitory control, working memory and cognitive flexibility.”
The schedule for ‘ChessFest’ on Sunday, October 13 is as follows:
- 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: youth chess tournament (ages eight to 18)
- 1 to 4 p.m.: family and chess activities
- 1:30 p.m.: Simultaneous chess demo
More information about the event is available at the ‘Chess for Life’ website.
