Andrew Martins, Managing Editor
Since the sixth century, people of all walks of life have waged battles on checkered boards to dominate their opponent’s king in the iconic game of chess. Starting this weekend, two chess-loving moms will open a new business to help bring the game to the children of Hillsborough and the surrounding area.
On Saturday, Oct. 7, the Hillsborough Chess Academy will formally open its doors to the public, offering a chance for kids from the township and the surrounding area a place to learn the ins and outs of chess in both a casual and competitive setting.
Hillsborough Chess Academy co-founder Reena Parekh, whose two daughters Namita and Ruchita have begun learning chess, said she was surprised at how today’s kids did not have a general grasp of the classic strategy game, despite the fact that area schools have chess clubs and host competitions.
“Right now, kids have robotics and other things and I think chess is a great skill to learn because it helps kids think logically and concentration,” Parekh said. “It teaches a lot of skills while having fun at the same time.”
Throughout the years, multiple studies have shown that playing chess can help improve the mental faculties of people of all ages. For kids, it helps improve concentration and memory, enhances reading and math skill and fosters critical thinking and creativity.
As a fans of the game themselves, Parekh and her business partner Moushumi Sheth, of Montgomery, decided to start the chess academy when they realized their own children were gaining an affinity for the game.
“My daughters both wanted to learn how to play, but I could only teach them so much. After looking around, we found that the closest place that teaches chess is in Branchburg,” Parekh said. “So when we found that out, [Moushumi and I] decided to start this close to home.”
Open for ages 5 and up, the academy currently plans to offer once class during the week and one class during the weekend. Miguel Iñiguez, who teaches chess at Princeton Day School and other locations, has been tapped to head those classes.
Along with instruction, Parekh said the new chess academy will eventually host chess competitions, as well as open play. Club hours will also be provided for members to practice their skills against each other.
Located next to the Kumon Math and Reading Center of Hillsborough on South Branch Road, Parekh said she planned on working with the learning center to give kids studying there a place to play and learn when they were done. And to make things easier for parents in the process.
“Right now, the biggest struggle for parents is driving kids around from one activity to the other. The more activities we can have in one spot, the better,” she said.
To that end, Parekh said there are plans in the works to expand the scope of the academy, with potential for introducing kids’ yoga classes and a kid-friendly spin on the popular “paint and wine” activities enjoyed by adults.
“When we first thought about this, it was going to be chess only, but since then we’ve had other instructors show interest to help out,” she said.
The open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Hillsborough Chess Academy will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 340 South Branch Road, #428.
