Local Enthusiasts Promote the Game of Chess on the Space Coast

Three-time World Chess Champion Mikhail Botvinnik said that chess is the art of analysis. And so, the Space Coast Chess Foundation is dedicated to promoting the art of chess and developing the top talent within the area. The foundation hosts an annual festival in April that is the longest running chess tournament in Brevard.

Local enthusiasts Peter Dyson, Dr. Peter Koretsky and Scott Langford serve on the board of the 501(c)(3) organization that began in 1991. Now the foundation works to coordinate activities to provide continuity and provide ongoing training and education for players.

The organization sponsors a series of tournaments for school aged children, provides training and resources for top talent in the area and provides free chess sets to school chess clubs. Eight tournaments are hosted for school age children during the year.

Peter Dyson began playing for fun in grade school but soon realized his “studying” to get better at chess helped his studying habits in other areas as well.

“It helps to develop critical thinking and learning skills which can benefit anybody,” he explained. “It is helping beyond developing specific skills.”

Studies have shown that chess provides a unique opportunity for children to improve their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Chess also enhances their intellectual maturity, self-esteem and cultural enrichment.

The Space Coast Chess Foundation receives substantial support from the Florida Chess Association (FCA) for the free sets program. The

President of the FCA, Harvey Lerman, has also served as the chief tournament director for the local festival for many years.

The annual tournament, the Space Coast Open Chess Festival, now in its 21st year, has players ranging in ages from four to 89. Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk attended the tournament in 2010 to play a 50-board simultaneous exhibition.

 

Space Coast Open Chess Festival
April 25-27, 2014
International Palms Resort
1300 North Atlantic Avenue (Hwy A1A), Cocoa Beach

Visit https://onlineregistration.cc/SCCF/SCO2014