One of the advantages of having the most comprehensive local calendar listing in California on the Local News Pasadena Web site is you learn about the coolest events in town. Here’s one at the Norton Simon Museum you won’t want to miss.
On Saturdays, August 19 & 26, from 4:00–6:00 p.m., drop by the Norton Simon Museum’s Sculpture Garden and learn the rules of the game from U.S. chess expert Jay Stallings.
Stallings has been teaching chess to students from kindergarten to high school for almost three decades. He is the founder of the California Youth Chess League (CYCL), serving 40,000 students since 1993.
Stallings introduces the game through exciting stories, special techniques and, of course, playing! He is one of a limited number of certified nationwide FIDE Trainers. Skills are developed in a short period of time, so it’s perfect for all skill levels. Students will develop their analytical skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
“Chess teaches foresight, by having to plan ahead; vigilance, by having to keep watch over the whole chess board; caution, by having to restrain ourselves from making hasty moves; and finally, we learn from chess the greatest maxim in life – that even when everything seems to be going badly for us we should not lose heart, but always hoping for a change for the better, steadfastly continue searching for the solutions to our problems.”
Benjamin Franklin
A frequent contributor to chess publications, Stallings has taught chess and chess pedagogy around the world and describes his teaching philosophy: “I want students to be able to play chess confidently and use the skills they learn in all aspects of life. Most of all, I hope that students love the game and use it to build relationships and community wherever they go.”
Space and chess sets are limited; and no reservations are taken. This program is recommended for all ages and is free with general admission to the Norton Simon.
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