Even kindergartners picking up on popular game -- chess

Even some kindergartners know the meaning of "checkmate."

Windsor Elementary School in Arlington Heights will pair up with Illinois Chess Teachers to host a kids chess tournament on Saturday at the school.

More than 150 kids are expected to sharpen their chess skills at the event. Representatives from all nine District 25 schools will attend along with students from 20 other schools throughout the Chicago area.

Rose Doherty is a Windsor parent who helped form the school's chess club in 2006.

"Kids play so many sports we thought this would be something different," Doherty said. "Chess is a game that makes kids think."

Every week, around 45 Windsor students receive chess lessons and play each other. Chess clubs are popular at other District 25 schools and at schools throughout the suburbs.

Although Saturday's chess tournament is open to all kids, they must register online with the Illinois Chess Teachers before playing.

The tournament will pit students of similar age and skill levels against each other, with the winners advancing. Students must be silent during the tournament. Talking will result in a disqualification, Doherty said.

The fee to participate on Saturday is $25 per kid. Kids ages kindergarten through eighth grade are eligible. The tournament will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony, Doherty said.

Surprisingly, kindergarten students pick up on chess quickly and are fun to watch, Doherty said.

"There are some pretty sharp cookies out there," she said.

The Web site for Illinois Chess Teachers is www.illinoischessteachers.com.

For more information on Saturday's tournament, call Illinois Chess Teachers Paul Raso at (630) 674-3474 or Blair Machaj at (630) 204-6245.