Ward Elementary chess tournament challenges young players

The National Scholastic Chess Foundation annual ‘Grand Prix’ series of chess tournaments is coming to William B. Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle on Saturday, December 7.

Each school year the NSCF produces 18 scholastic chess tournaments in Greenwich and in Westchester County. Events are open to all students (K-12). In addition to prizes for individual tournaments, NSCF Grand Prix awards recognize students’ effort and performance over an entire season.

“Even the most talented young players will not necessarily win at every event, but overcoming the disappointments, learning from mistakes, and coming back to fight another day is a key life lesson we believe children learn through chess,” says the NSCF’s Executive Director, Sunil Weeramantry.

At the end of this year’s series, the NSCF will award top players with scholarships. The Tharin Chadwick “Dr. Chess” Grand Prix Scholarships are named Tharin Chadwick, a long-time NSCF instructor who sadly passed away just before his 50th birthday. Nicknamed “Dr. Chess” by his students, Mr. Chadwick was a popular chess teacher from Mount Vernon who worked with schools in New Rochelle and White Plains.

Registration for the Ward tournament is $40 in advance or $50 on the day of the event. There are sections for all grades and abilities, even novice players. Parents can find complete details and register their children online by visiting http://nscfchess.events4chess.com/