Kids in Knoxville will get the opportunity to give their minds a workout, as the Knoxville Public Library offers its weekly chess program beginning in January.

On Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30, the chess boards will be set up in the children’s section of the library, in its temporary location inside the old East Elementary School. They’ll be available for six weeks starting on January 23rd for kids from third through seventh grade.

Holly Shelford from the Knoxville Public Library tells KNIA/KRLS News chess offers children who learn and understand the game the chance to become creative, as they think about the strategies involved.

“That is so true, and that is so true with chess; and a lot of people think it’s so similar to checkers, and it is nothing like checkers,” Shelford says. “You have to start thinking outside of the box, you have to start thinking of moves two to three moves ahead of time. And it’s just amazing to see these children, how they take to this game really quickly and then just be accelerated.”

Shelford says the chess boards and other board games are available anytime, for those who want to get up a friendly game.