In 2008, the Batavia Public Library was looking for a multigenerational program to offer to the community. A library trustee suggested hosting a chess program during which children could practice the game of chess with experienced players – both teens and adults – acting as mentors of the game.

The library began offering Chess Knights in June 2008. Former youth services librarian Ted Clauser developed the program, and the library bought a dozen large, portable chess boards. Since then, Chess Knights has become a staple of library programming during Summer Reading Club, spring break and winter holidays. Chess players – kids playing kids, kids playing adults – became a familiar sight in the library’s Reading Garden during summertime Chess Knights.

The popularity of the game has increased in Batavia and throughout the country during the past couple of decades. Chess has become part of the curriculum in public and private schools, and chess clubs are springing up as extracurricular activities and in inner-city programs. (J.B. Nelson Elementary School in Batavia offered Chess Scholars, an after-school series of classes this spring.) Children from all economic backgrounds can enjoy and benefit from playing the game.

According to chess.com, playing chess and other games such as Scrabble and Chinese checkers is extremely helpful in brain development, particularly when played regularly from an early age. Playing the game helps to foster analytical skills, foresight and planning, decision-making, discipline, memory, and self-confidence in children.

Last year the library began offering Chess Club to teach students ages 6 through 14 the basics of the game. Beginning in June, there will be Chess Basics, which is for beginners, and Chess Club now will be for students who know the basics and want to learn strategies.

Ruth Arrott, youth services assistant, is coordinating the library’s chess programs.

“We started offering Chess Knights to bring the young and the not-so-young together,” Arrott said. “We’ve come to realize that more and more children want to participate in Chess Knights, but they don’t know the basics. We decided to start at the beginning and introduce the game to young players.

“Our goal is not to prepare young chess players for tournaments and competitions. Our focus is to teach them the game, introduce them to other players, show them a few strategies and encourage them to challenge and be challenged. We also want to encourage parents, grandparents, big brothers and sisters, and anyone else, to share their love for the game and mentor these developing players.”

Mark your calendars: Chess Knights will be from 7 to 8 p.m. June 6, 13, 20 and 27; July 11, 18 and 25; and Aug. 1 and 8. Registration is not required.

Please check the library’s online calendar for Chess Basics and Chess Club dates and times. These programs require registration.

Reading by Design, Summer Reading Club 2017, has begun. Adults and high school students can pick up a reading log at the reference desk or download it at BataviaPublicLibrary.org. Children – babies through grade 8 – can pick up a logbook at the youth services desk.

Michele Martzel is the promotional services manager for the Batavia Public Library. The “@ Your Library” column runs the fourth Thursday of each month. Feedback can be sent to editorial@kcchronicle.com.