CCC at 2014 Boys Scout Peterloon Festival

On October 11th 2014, the Cincinnati Chess Club participated in the 2014 Boy Scouts Peterloon Festival. This is a huge yearly event with over 5,000 Boys Scouts and people in attendance. Chess was a huge hit with over 15 boards set up and players rotating all through out the day (that's 30+ players playing at any one time). For scouts who did not know how to play, we taught them on the spot. We promoted the club and handed out literature to help Scouts get involved in the Cincinnati scholastic chess scene. Many fathers played sons. Boy Scouts played grandparents and friends played friends. The only problem that we had was when it was time to leave...the Scouts did not want to stop playing chess. Our fearless President, Duane Larkin, helped to set up and run our exhibit, he also taught Boy Scouts how to play chess. It was a great day and the Cincinnati Chess Club looks forward to returning next year to promote our club and the beautiful, artistic, fun game of chess.

The Cincinnati Chess Club provides meetings every Friday for players of any age or skill level who like to play chess. We strive to offer the lowest-priced memberships that we can, and to provide a central meeting location that is safe, secure, and family friendly. In 2014 we have consistently hosted 20+ players each week, with some weeks peaking above 40 members in attendance. We also have several youth members who are just getting started in the game. Our members have been very supportive in helping to teach them the game and encouraging them coming back to the club. The weekly club meetings are our primary service, but our members are working to spread the game of chess outside of the club as well:

Goals and Strategy

Develop a community presence that would be a model for the other groups and clubs in the area. We should share this experience with our members and others through the web page, facebook posts, and twitter.

Eventually, we will able to get sponsors and donors which would not only allow the club to grow but would enable us to carry out even larger community projects.

*These goals fit into the Club’s Mission statement: “We are dedicated to the promotion of chess”.

Active Community Projects

1. Currently Duane Larkin and Anthony Coats are voluntarily coaching an after school chess class at Shroder High School.
   • The specific objectives of this year’s Shroder chess classes was, to prepare the kids well enough for them to play in the “Queen City Classic” this year. Presently, 3-4 students have signed up to participate in the tournament.
2. Currently, Jon Applebee is coaching at Indian Hill School
   • The club is responsible for recommending and placement of one of the city’s top chess coaches Jon Applebee, into the exclusive Indian Hill School for the 2013-14 school year.
3. Volunteering at the Queen City Classic at Paul Brown Stadium
   • The Cincinnati chess Club has had a presence at the QCC for many years. Our members have been specifically recruited to provide experienced volunteer help in:
   1. Setting up chess sets, tables and chairs
   2. Officially monitoring players during the tournament
   3. Providing tournament director support

Over the years we have brought chess to churches, festivals, schools, social clubs, city parks, and anyone who needs help in starting a club or wants to learn to play chess. Being a community based club does wonders for our reputation with others.

Community involvement provides an environment in which we can develop the skills of youth, promote the educational benefits chess brings them and make a difference in our rapidly changing society. Our contributions to the community are not huge but, we have tried to make a difference.