With students learning chess through programs established at the elementary schools in Brownwood, kids who had an interest in continuing to learn and play the game at school after moving on from 3rd grade were left without an option until this year.
Dr. Rance Boren, a certified neurologist with CRB Medical Associates and parent of two children attending Brownwood schools, responded to the need and teamed up with Coggin Elementary principal, Todd Lewis, and Brownwood Intermediate Principal, Chuck Chesser, to offer a chess club for the 4th through 6th grade students. “I like to play, and I’ve got a daughter in fifth and a son in first who also play,” said Dr. Boren. “The second and third grades learn [chess] at all the elementary schools, and Mr. Chesser mentioned that he wanted to do something to keep the program alive.”
This is the first year that chess has been offered for these grades, and after an initial turnout of around 30 kids, the program has leveled out with a core group of around 6 to 8 students that regularly attend practice every Wednesday after school at Coggin Elementary. “Most of the kids by virtue of being in the Brownwood system have already played and learned the moves. These guys have all improved a great deal over the past year,” Boren said. “They play against each other, and if there is an odd number Mr. Lewis or I will sit down and play to teach them.”
While the students learn the basic moves in the elementary chess program, this gives them the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the game and take it to the next level. “At this age they’re still impulsive,” Boren said. “The fun part is all the things it teaches them. They learn discipline, curbing impulsiveness, thinking ahead and looking at problems from all angles.”
The students have put their skills to the test in a couple of competitions this year and have had great results. Abilene has a well-established chess club at Taylor Elementary where they hold an annual tournament for grades K-12. “We took four kids to the Abilene tournament a couple of weeks ago and did very well,” Boren said. “Caden Reagan won the elementary division, which is children 10 years old and under. They played in a Swiss-style tournament where everybody plays stratified by age. The winners play winners, and you’re always playing a game against somebody who is essentially at your same skill level in the competition.”
While funding is limited and there aren’t a lot of local tournaments, Dr. Boren continues to improve the program and is hopeful that chess programs will pop up at other local districts and schools as well, expanding the opportunities for competition. “I’d like to take them more places and play more people,” Boren said. “The boards and pieces are inexpensive; it’s indoors, and doesn’t require a huge investment.”
The program is still new and comes with challenges, but the students continue to improve. “They’re getting a lot out of it,” added Boren. “I suspect next year we’ll have an even better showing.”
Pictured above: Dr. Rance Boren helps students analyze the board during a practice chess game at Coggin Elementary.
