Rainbow to host four chess camps this summer

(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Rainbow Elementary School will host four different summer chess camps for children in grades K-8.

Caesar Lawrence from Birmingham and Bill Nash, competition chess coach for the Rainbow Chess Club, will instruct the camp sessions.

On June 3-5, two chess camps will be held for students who play competitively with current United States Chess Federation (USCF) ratings. A beginner competition camp will meet from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. for students with a USCF rating below 600. Beginners can experience ways to set and avoid opening traps, strategy and tournament preparation.

An intermediate competition camp will meet from 1 to 4 p.m. for students with a USCF rating of 600 or higher. Participants will practice hyper-modern chess openings and defenses, specifically French and Sicilian strategies.

The “Learn to Play Chess” camp on June 10-12 will accommodate students who are just starting the game or have a basic knowledge and need to learn rules, movements and point values. The camp will meet from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Campers will receive a workbook. “If your child wants to join a school chess club in the fall, we will teach the basic rules and how to play so they can be ready,” parent volunteer Ranae Bartlett said.

On June 10-12 from 1 to 4 p.m., a recreation chess camp will be held for children who want to play chess for fun. Little to no experience is necessary. “Those who attended last summer’s chess camps at Rainbow will build on what was learned,” Bartlett said. This camp is suitable for a child who has not competed in an USCF-rated tournament or has not yet received a rating but wants to improve in chess.

Fee for each camp is $75. Organizers will secure reservations based on the receipt date of payment and registration forms.

Applications are available on Rainbow’s website at res.madisoncity.k12.al.us. For more information, email to rbartlett@madisoncity.k12.al.us.