It has found a home in Oakland where a group of skilled and avid youth make up the Golden Gate Library Youth Chess Club.

"Chess is a great equalizer," says Don Waters, the coordinator of the club. "It provides (kids) with the arena and the opportunity to explore critical thinking."

In January 2002, a group of eight adolescents at the Golden Gate Branch Library displayed an interest in chess. In response, the library instituted drop-in chess sessions.

The reaction from youth was enthusiastic, and in less than a year the original group of eight was transformed into a club of 25 members ranging from 5 to 19 years old. The drop-in sessions became weekly meetings, and library-hosted clinics and tournaments became biannual events.

The formation of the Golden Gate Library Youth Chess Club created a need for volunteers interested in both teaching and playing chess with the youth.

Corey Wade, a regular volunteer with the chess club, was an avid player before he came across the Golden Gate Library chess program.

Upon volunteering, Wade discovered the kids were not the only ones challenged by a round of chess. Wade found that his youthful opponents were "very talented chess players."

"I can get into some really good games with the kids," he says.

The prowess of those in the club is recognized outside the library as well. In 2003, club members went to the California State School Chess Tournament in Anaheim and came home with third-place trophies in three categories and a grand total of 11 trophies. In the Alameda County Chess Tournament, players from the Golden Gate Library Youth Chess Club took first, second and third place.

Aside from creating better chess players, Waters believes the chess club and the individuals who volunteer there can foster life skills in the young players. He sees the work of volunteers as both coaching and mentoring.

The lessons of chess, he believes, extend beyond the game, improving decision-making, focus, attitude and tenacity. For him, teaching a student to transcend the intimidation that comes across the chess table is a lesson worth more than a checkmate.

Wade agrees.

"We have a vision about expanding chess opportunities in Oakland so that all youth have chess available to them," he says.

For more information about volunteering with the Golden Gate Library Youth Chess Club, call 597-5023.