As Birmingham city schools opens their classrooms for another school year, elementary students will have new options when it comes to extracurricular activities. Some will have an opportunity to participate in chess classes for the very first time.

About a dozen teachers spent the summer preparing to instruct them. They most recently met August 4 and 5 at Bush Hills Elementary for final refresher courses before class. They’d already met weeks earlier for a tournament of sorts at the school.

The teachers were prepared by Charles Smith, a native New Yorker who teaches chess at W.J. Christian School.

“Research substantiates that chess is a wonderful activity for children to get involved in because it helps them to think spatially,” said Larry Contri, director of secondary education for Birmingham City Schools.“Mr. Smith is excellent at what he does.”

W.J. Christian (K-8), Phillips Academy (K-8), Sun Valley Elementary, Princeton Elementary and Brown Elementary featured chess clubs last year and with new teachers trained, 15-20 more schools will offer the activity this school year.

Sound files for your use:

• Kathryn Corey
  VP, Donor Relations
  Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
• Kevin Johnson
  4^th-grade Teacher
  West End Academy