FREMONT - When Alan
Kirshner co- founded the
Weibel Chess Club in 1988, he in
effect established a model for the city's other clubs.
Widely considered the most rigorous youth program in the area, Weibel's team won
last year's state title at the California Grade Level Championships in Southern California.
The club is divided into two groups. Tuesday night meetings, which emphasize learning
and having fun, are regularly attended by 80 elementary school students. Friday evenings
are for more serious players who train hard in the interest of competing at regional
and state tournaments. Fifty-five children consistently attend Friday meetings. |
Parents of Weibel Chess Club students pay
dues to cover materials and tournament fees. And the waiting list for memberships is long. Newer clubs like
Ardenwood, with 56 members, and Forest Park, with 79, also have substantial waiting
lists.
The Weibel club has five coaches and other clubs report having up to 10, Almost of whom
are parent volunteers. Students go through drills and instruction at club
meeting before playing their peers. Some clubs like Weibel, also assign students several
hours of take-home training per week.
There also is a great local demand for private chess tutors. Kirshner said accomplished
players, no matter their age, can earn upwards of $30 an hour teaching private lessons
to elementary school students. |
Sharon
Tseung of Weibel tied for first place among third-graders.