Chess - comfort for cancer patients

Chess news and chess trivia blog (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2010

Hello Everyone,

It is always nice to know when chess promises hope for people. We have several chess stories like this one on this blog. Here's the latest we found at this link.

Datelined St. Louis, the report reads that 'Chess for Life,' a chess-playing program designed for patients by the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine has completed a full year.

To mark the anniversary, they will organize a special patients' event on Wednesday Oct. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m at the Center for Advanced Medicine.

Over 100 cancer patients and survivors are expected to participate in the interactive event with activates such as simul play and chess on an oversized board.

The program was introduced in 2009 to brighten the lives of patients and caregivers during treatments. It was developed in conjunction with the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis and inspired by Jim Corbett, a Siteman patient.

Corbett was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer in September 2007 and began playing chess for comfort. When Corbett died on Dec. 15, 2008, Suzanne Corbett, his wife, contacted the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis after learning that the chess club wanted to get involved in the community. 'Chess for Life' was later created in partnership with Siteman.

"This could make such a difference to so many people, because I know what a difference it made for Jim," says Corbett.

Last year the chess club donated three chess tables for the waiting room as well as six portable boards with magnetic pieces.

Great work, folks.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's

www.chessblog.com

Also see her personal blog at

www.chessqueen.com