While most parents send their children to after-school day care once the school bell rings, Cascade View Elementary families can use afternoon down-time to help students gain more experience in the arts, sciences — and strategy.

Creating an atypical after-school activity, the Cascade View Parent Teacher Student Association hosts Chess 4 Life, where students learn the game of chess, rules and tactics, honing skills they never knew they had.

This fall, 20 students and counting have enrolled in one-hour Wednesday classes taught by trained coaches after school.

Chess 4 Life was founded by national master Elliott Neff, a chess coach for 18 years. For Neff, the ages-old game offers lessons for life.

“The value of perseverance through adversity and the priceless experience of achievement after putting in consistent effort” can be learned in the game, he said.

Students have learned how to open a chess game, how to conduct the middle game, and how to win (or avoid losing) the end game.

Studies on the benefits of learning chess have shown increased math skills, concentration, memory, and self-confidence in young people, according to Neff.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade of all skill levels are welcome to sign-up, and will get hands on experience through tournament competition.

Winter sessions will run from January 6 to March 17 and sign-ups are now open. For more information on Chess 4 Life, call (425) 283-0549 or visit www.Chess4Life.com.