“Life is a kind of chess,” wrote Benjamin Franklin in his 1786 essay on “The Morals of Chess.” Chess teaches foresight, circumspection and caution, as well as not to be “discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs,” he wrote.

Fast forward a couple hundred years, and it's believed there's a positive effect on cognitive development in children who play chess. In addition to offering intellectual stimulation, chess crosses cultural and socioeconomic boundaries, bridging gaps in a disparate population.

Fortunately, numerous opportunities for Westchester children to play chess exist. In addition to schools often offering extracurricular play, we previously rounded up chess camp options and have now compiled FREE chess clubs and classes available at Westchester libraries. Whether your child is a novice or a Bobby Fischer, there’s something for everyone—in fact, there’s at least one option for each weekday.

Keep tabs on our Event Calendar, as programs are often added or repeated. Read on and go for checkmate!