Texas is the hotspot for Chess and McKinney has joined the ranks.  McKinney Chess offers lessons, open play and tournaments at the McKinney Performing Arts Center in downtown McKinney on Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m.

Every level of chess lessons will be offered, from learning how the pieces move to advanced tactics for competitive play.  Youth Scholarships are available from the Youth Recreation Benefit Fund (a fee assistance program for McKinney residents who qualify for free or reduced school lunch program).  

McKinney Chess also organizes several chess clubs including Walker Elementary, Finch Elementary and Faubion Middle School.  Many schools are adding chess clubs as an inexpensive but essential way of helping kids grow mentally by developing key cognitive skills, improving concentration and memory, and increasing logical and problem solving skills.  

Many of the McKinney Chess students are United States Chess Federation (USCF) members and compete in local tournaments year around.  Each USCF member receives a rating that calculates the relative skill of the player.  This rating system is the same rating system used to award Grand Master status.  (USCF) is the official, not-for-profit US membership organization for chess players and chess supporters of all ages and strengths, from beginners to Grandmasters.  The USCF website www.uschess.org has more information on membership and ratings.  McKinney Chess is an affiliate member of the USCF as such, serves the purpose of the Federation to be educational and instructional, to broaden and develop chess as art and recreation, as a significant element of culture in America.  McKinney Chess offers a centralized location at the McKinney Performing Arts Center for students of all ages and schools to come together and play chess on a regular basis. 

Later this month, McKinney Chess is hosting a 3 round USCF Scholastic Tournament for grades K-12 on Wednesday Feb 29, 2012, at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (111 N. Tennessee St).  USCF membership is required and special promotional memberships will be offered at the tournament.  Preregistration is encouraged and if registered by Feb 25th the entry fee is reduced to $10, otherwise it's $20 entry fee either on-line or at the door.  All individuals and teams must be checked in at the tournament by 4:30pm and the 1st round starts at 4:45pm.  Trophies will be awarded for top 1st, 2nd, 3rd place for each section (K-3, 4-5, MS/HS).

For more information on the tournament, lessons or open play, call (214) 620-0527 or email at mckinneychess@gmail.com.  To register for the tournament visit www.McKinneyPerformingArtsCenter.org and click on classes to register.  

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