Arizona Chess Central

To broaden and develop the skills of chess players and to advance it as a beneficial element of Public Education by offering instruction in the skills of chess for the purpose of improving or developing players capabilities in the game of chess, provide playing opportunities, learning camps and game reviews in schools and other public places.

At Arizona Chess Central chess education is our passion. From the youngest player to the oldest everyone benefits from learning the game of chess. Arizona Chess Central provides chess education at several elementary schools, as part of their after school enrichment programs, as well as a weekly community based chess education class for players of all ages and skill levels. Our coaching staff is lead by Michael Reading who has 25+ years experience coaching individuals and teams from elementary school through high school. Our coaching staff is primarily comprised of student mentors. Students who started in our programs at the elementary school level go on to become the instructors under supervision of our adult instructors. Our student mentors not only share their knowledge with the younger students but they learn valuable life skills, such as communication and interaction with students, parents and administrators. In addition to our educational programs Arizona Chess Central also provides opportunities to put those skills to work with monthly USCF rated (United States Chess Federation) chess tournaments and well as weekly Blitz (speed chess) and Bughouse (team speed chess) tournaments.

Testimonials

WHY SHOULD YOU PLAY CHESS? WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

Chess is a game for people of all ages. You can learn to play at any age and in chess, unlike in many other sports, you don't ever have to retire. Age is also not a factor when you're looking for an opponent --young can play old and old can play young.

Chess develops memory. The chess theory is complicated and many players memorize different opening variations. You will also learn to recognize various patterns and remember lengthy variations.

Chess improves concentration. During the game you are focused on only one main goal -- to checkmate and become the victor.

Chess develops logical thinking. Chess requires some understanding of logical strategy. For example, you will know that it is important to bring your pieces out into the game at the beginning, to keep your king safe at all times, not to make big weaknesses in your position and not to blunder your pieces away for free. (Although you will find yourself doing that occasionally through your chess career. Mistakes are inevitable and chess, like life, is a never-ending learning process.)

Chess promotes imagination and creativity. It encourages you to be inventive. There are an indefinite amount of beautiful combinations yet to be constructed.
Chess teaches independence. You are forced to make important decisions influenced only by your own judgment.
Chess develops the capability to predict and foresee consequences of actions. It teaches you to look both ways before crossing the street. Chess inspires self-motivation. It encourages the search of the best move, the best plan, and the most beautiful continuation out of the endless possibilities. It encourages the everlasting aim towards progress, always steering to ignite the flame of victory.

Chess shows that success rewards hard work. The more you practice, the better you'll become. You should be ready to lose and learn from your mistakes. One of the greatest players ever, Capablanca said, "You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win. You will have to lose hundreds of games before becoming a good player."

Chess and Science. Chess develops the scientific way of thinking. While playing, you generate numerous variations in your mind. You explore new ideas, try to predict their outcomes and interpret surprising revelations. You decide on a hypothesis, and then you make your move and test it.

Chess and Technology. What do chess players do during the game? Just like computers they engage in a search for the better move in a limited amount of time. What are you doing right now? You are using a computer as a tool for learning.

Chess and Mathematics. You don't have to be a genius to figure this one out. Chess involves an infinite number of calculations, anything from counting the number of attackers and defenders in the event of a simple exchange to calculating lengthy continuations. And you use your head to calculate, not some little machine.

Chess and Research. There are millions of chess resources out there for every aspect of the game. You can even collect your own chess library. In life, is it important to know how to find, organize and use boundless amounts of information. Chess gives you a perfect example and opportunity to do just that.

Chess and Art. In the Great Soviet Encyclopedia chess is defined as "an art appearing in the form of a game...