Mingle among kings, queens and knights at the Third Annual Chess Fest at Hotel Congress next weekend.
From 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 Queens and Hotel Congress will host the free family festival that celebrates the benefits of chess.
People will receive a booklet with each page dedicated to a chess piece. Participants can visit the tables to learn about each piece and get their booklets stamped. The first 500 people who visit all the stations will receive a $5 gift certificate from Bookmans.
Newcomers to the game also can learn how to play by visiting each of the "chess passport stations."
More advanced players can participate in the single-elimination, speed chess tournament or play pickup games.
Jean Hoffman, 29-year-old co-founder and executive director of 9 Queens, said this year's festival focuses on the education aspect and makes it beginner-friendly.
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"We're trying to break down all the fears that people have about chess and make it super-simple to learn," said Hoffman, who has been playing chess since first grade. Her organization's mission is to promote chess and its benefits, particularly among girls and at-risk youth.
A silent auction will include a giant chessboard made of 64 5-by-5-inch squares created by local artists and kids.
Members of the Arizona Scorpions, a professional online chess league founded about two years ago, will be at the event.
Face-painting, a blindfold chess exhibition and chess puzzle contests will round out the day. At 4:30 p.m., the winners of the speed chess tournament will duke it out in a playoff match played on a life-size chessboard with human chess pieces (costumes will be provided by Youth Volunteer Corps of Southern Arizona).
All activities are free, and preregistration is not required. For information, go to www.9queens.org or e-mail jhoffman@9queens.org
Chess products will be for sale, such as pink chessboards for $10, and $15 commemorative T-shirts that kids will be able to decorate.
Money raised will help pay for the event and support 9 Queens programs.
Roskruge and Tully elementary schools have thriving chess programs, thanks to 9 Queens. Hoffman said there's a waiting list of more than 20 schools wanting their own programs.
Last year, more than 500 people attended Chess Fest, and over 100 played.
"The national chess world is interested in what's going on in Tucson," said Hoffman, noting that numbers of local women participating in workshops have risen from 10 percent to almost 50 percent in the beginner sections. "And that's just after two years."
"It's been a good year for us," said Hoffman, noting that 9 Queens put on about 15 events last year. "This year we're looking to do at least 20 events."
Contact reporter Valerie Vinyard at vvinyard@azstarnet.com or 573-4136.