Chess Club for Kids!

Chess Club for Kids! is back at the Parkway Central Library on Monday, October 26, and it's open to any child 12 and under. If you've got a kid who's never touched a chessboard, this is exactly the kind of thing they can walk into without knowing a thing. The whole point is that they play and learn as they go, so there's no need to spend a weekend teaching them the rules before you show up.

One of the best parts is that the library provides all the supplies. You don't have to hunt down a board or a set of pieces—they've got everything ready to go, so you just bring the kids and they can get straight to the games. It's a low-pressure way for them to pick up the game, whether they're coming in as complete beginners or they've already played a few rounds at home.

Finding it is easy. The club meets in the Story Hour Room, which is part of the Central Children's Department on the ground floor—Room 22. The library itself is at 1901 Vine Street, right between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway in Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189. It's a central spot, so it works well if you're already in the neighborhood or coming in from nearby.

It runs from 4:00 to 4:45 PM, a short window that fits right into the after-school stretch. Since it's for kids 12 and under and no experience is necessary, it's a simple way to get them into a new game without any prep on your end. Just head to the ground floor at the Parkway Central Library on Monday, October 26, from 4:00 to 4:45 PM.