Chess club forming in Mineola

The Mineola Chess Club will have its inaugural meeting Tuesday, June 1 at 6 p.m. at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, 304 Stone St.

Sponsor for the club is Dr. Larry Yates and the Flint and Steel Young Adult Coalition, St. Paul Missionary Baptist, Miracles in Action Ministry, New Life Church of Mineola, the Mineola Ministerial Alliance and Mineola Bible Institute.

There is no cost or fee to join. The first meeting will be informational and include questions and answers, as well as a showing of the movie “Searching for Bobby Fischer” about the renowned American chess champion from the 1970s.

Yates, who is a candidate to be a United States Chess Federation certified coach, believes strongly in the power of chess for kids.

“Many studies show a strong correlation between playing chess regularly and improved grades,” he said in a letter to parents.

Kids who play chess also have higher levels of self-esteem and self-confidence, he said.

He can be contacted at 903-638-8248.