Although chess may be “the gymnasium of the mind,” it is also a way for people of all ages to form friendships, grow as individuals and compete with nationally and locally recognized clubs — something the Country Knights Chess Club in St. Clair County encourages.

Pedro Pino, president of the Country Knights, learned how to play chess as a child in Cuba. Growing up with asthma, he was not able to play athletic sports, so chess was a good alternative for him.

Decades later, he saw his grandson had a short attention span, and Pino said he thought chess would be a wonderful solution. When he saw that other children could benefit from this game, too, he decided to start a chess club.

“We’re actively recruiting. Putting this together has become a game of chess itself,” Pino laughed.

As an affiliate of the United States Chess Federation, the Country Knights’ goal is to “elevate the game of chess throughout the community and to introduce chess to thousands of St. Clair County children and adults.” Pino said being a part of a national and local program gave the children involved a sense of identity.

He has chess programs already in Odenville, Trussville, Leeds and Pell City. Pino will teach a session at Trussville Public Library on June 8 from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. There will be a summer chess camp June 14 through 18 at the Pell City Civic Center. Morning sessions are from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and afternoon sessions are from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will also be a summer camp in Leeds at Leeds First United Methodist.

“The goal is that every school in St. Clair County … will have chess being played by teams, just like they play other sports,” he said.

Pino said he wants to teach children more than how to play chess, however. He wants to “round them out as young individuals and show that you have to engage your mind and body.”

The chess club competes in tournaments, and this year they won their first team trophy, coming in second. All of the students have a chance to play at each tournament. Unlike other sports, he said, students regularly find that their opponents become their best friends after a match.

“(This program) shows what it takes to succeed in school and later on in life,” Pino said. “You’re teaching them self-motivation, determination and how to solve problems.”

Pino, who is retired, said he devotes 100 percent of his time to getting the chess program into the schools. He also offers an adult chess class on Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Mi Casita Mexican Restaurant in Odenville.

The club is in the process of expanding to include all children, not just boys. The Country Queens Chess Club, which is only for girls, is now looking for members.

He charges children and adults $5 each day they meet. The program is trying to raise funds to establish the Country Knights Chess Club as a 501c3 non-profit organization.

Pino said he has a good program and will go anywhere, within a reasonable distance, to show what he is doing with the club. For more information about the Country Knights, visit their Web site at www.countryknightsclub.com or call Pino at 205-515-0494.