The benefits of playing chess are well known. It strengthens your memory and ability to focus. It enhances your planning and problem-solving skills, as well as your creativity. In an age when many people are feeling polarized and finding it difficult to consider opposing viewpoints, chess offers an avenue to positively focus on another person’s perspective.
With the United States Surgeon General urging people to prioritize social connection as an important component of good physical, mental and community health, joining DOROT’s Intergenerational Chess Program can really “check” a lot of boxes!
Nathan, who joined DOROT’s chess program last fall, is a lifelong chess player who is enthusiastic about teaching the game to others and connecting over the chessboard. “It’s a really nice way to socialize, to hang out – whether that’s with others of my own generation or with high school kids,” he says. While many of the weekly players are impressed by the chess skills of those younger or older than themselves, it is a welcoming place for beginning players too. A Chess Master provides instruction at the beginning of every session and supports the players as they learn or improve their game. Most of all, all the players enjoy the opportunity to socialize and meet new people who share their interest in the game.
This program began as a weekly chess game between a 13-year-old boy named Zachary and a senior named Herman. They were introduced by DOROT, a non-profit that promotes and provides social connection for people 60+ and engages volunteers of all ages in that mission. Zachary’s and Herman’s shared joy of the game brought them so close together that Herman gave Zachary a very special gift – the chess set Herman’s father had brought from Vienna in 1929. Zachary and his family wanted others to be able to experience the great relationships that can be built across the chessboard and so they worked with DOROT to begin a program. That program continues today in Westchester, Manhattan and even online.
Registration for the 8-week fall season in Hartsdale is open now! This Westchester chess community will meet every Wednesday from 4:15 to 6:00 P.M., beginning in October. The program is offered at no cost, due to the generosity of DOROT Westchester funding foundations and individual donors. For more information or to enroll, call DOROT Westchester at 914-485-8354 or email: infowestchester@dorotusa.org
Westchester Senior Voice is privileged to provide this content. Please share with friends, family and colleagues.
Latest posts by Westchester Senior Voice
(see all)
Facebook
Instagram
28 Aug 2023
0 Commentsintergenerational chess
The benefits of playing chess are well known. It strengthens your memory and ability to focus. It enhances your planning and problem-solving skills, as well as your creativity. In an age when many people are feeling polarized and finding it difficult to consider opposing viewpoints, chess offers an avenue to positively focus on another person’s perspective.
With the United States Surgeon General urging people to prioritize social connection as an important component of good physical, mental and community health, joining DOROT’s Intergenerational Chess Program can really “check” a lot of boxes!
Nathan, who joined DOROT’s chess program last fall, is a lifelong chess player who is enthusiastic about teaching the game to others and connecting over the chessboard. “It’s a really nice way to socialize, to hang out – whether that’s with others of my own generation or with high school kids,” he says. While many of the weekly players are impressed by the chess skills of those younger or older than themselves, it is a welcoming place for beginning players too. A Chess Master provides instruction at the beginning of every session and supports the players as they learn or improve their game. Most of all, all the players enjoy the opportunity to socialize and meet new people who share their interest in the game.
This program began as a weekly chess game between a 13-year-old boy named Zachary and a senior named Herman. They were introduced by DOROT, a non-profit that promotes and provides social connection for people 60+ and engages volunteers of all ages in that mission. Zachary’s and Herman’s shared joy of the game brought them so close together that Herman gave Zachary a very special gift – the chess set Herman’s father had brought from Vienna in 1929. Zachary and his family wanted others to be able to experience the great relationships that can be built across the chessboard and so they worked with DOROT to begin a program. That program continues today in Westchester, Manhattan and even online.
Registration for the 8-week fall season in Hartsdale is open now! This Westchester chess community will meet every Wednesday from 4:15 to 6:00 P.M., beginning in October. The program is offered at no cost, due to the generosity of DOROT Westchester funding foundations and individual donors. For more information or to enroll, call DOROT Westchester at 914-485-8354 or email: infowestchester@dorotusa.org