National Chess Day!

National Chess Day is coming up on Saturday, October 12^th, 2019!

Former U.S. President Gerald Ford announced the first National Chess Day on October 9^th, 1976. Ever since, National Chess Day has been celebrated on the second Saturday in October. President Ford’s purpose in recognizing a National Chess Day, was to encourage individuals to engage in a game of chess and enhance their critical thinking skills.

"For both professionals and amateurs, chess is a game that sharpens the mind, tests human faculties and encourages healthy competition. It has captivated the attention of players and spectators world-wide and will continue to do so as long as competition and excellence challenge mankind.” - Former President Gerald Ford

On a day when people are encouraged to get together and celebrate all things chess, what can you do to celebrate?

Play a game of chess with friends or family.
Organize a mini tournament with some friends.
Teach someone that has never played chess before how to play.
Sign up for a tournament.
Read a chess book, or check out chess books from the library.
Make your own chess pieces out of craft items.
Draw a chess board outside with sidewalk chalk and enjoy a game of chess outdoors.

Fun Fact:

Did you know that many former presidents played chess?

John Adams,
Thomas Jefferson,
James Madison,
James Monroe,
John Quincy Adams,
Ulysses S Grant,
Rutherford Hayes,
James Garfield,
Grover Cleveland,
Theodore Roosevelt,
William Howard Taft,
Woodrow Wilson,
Warren Harding,
Harry S Truman,
Jimmy Carter,
Bill Clinton, and Abraham Lincoln all enjoyed the game of chess!