<div dir="ltr"><div>The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) wants to bring the joy and fun of chess to our youth community members. Chess isn&#39;t just a game; it&#39;s a doorway to new skills, connection, and pure enjoyment!<br><br><b>Why Play Chess? The Benefits Go Beyond the Board:</b><br>Sharpen Your Mind: Chess is a fantastic way to boost concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills. Learn to think several steps ahead and develop strategic planning.<br><br></div><div>Enhance Focus and Patience: The game demands attention to detail and encourages careful, thoughtful decision-making\u2014skills valuable in every area of life.<br><br></div><div>A Level Playing Field: Using specialized tactile boards, chess becomes fully accessible, offering an equally challenging and rewarding experience for players of all sight levels.<br><br></div><div>Build Community: Connect with fellow enthusiasts, share strategies, and engage in friendly competition in a welcoming and supportive environment.<br><br></div><div><b>Enjoyment &amp; Fun:</b><br>Forget the stereotype of quiet, serious play! Our club, guided by Coach Marc<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"> Maurer</span>, is all about enjoying the game. Feel the thrill of a clever tactical move, the pride in a well-planned strategy, and the fun of learning and growing with others. Whether you&#39;re a total beginner or an intermediate player, enjoy the mental challenge and the social camaraderie.<br><br><b>Ready to Make Your Move?</b><br>The first meeting is Saturday, January 24th [In-Person]<br>Time: 10:30 AM<br>Location: 415 Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201<br>Intended Audience: Ages 7-18<br><br>We&#39;ll provide all the necessary equipment and guidance. To better prepare for the first session, please complete the following form: <a href="https://forms.gle/iRGybfvKovxwMUFh7">https://forms.gle/iRGybfvKovxwMUFh7</a>.<br><br>For more information, <span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"></span><span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">email:</span><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"> </span><a href="mailto:kidsdesk.lbpd@maryland.gov">kidsdesk.lbpd@maryland.gov</a>.<br><br>See you at the board!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">~LM</div><br></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size:12.8px;border-collapse:collapse;border:none"><tbody><tr><td width="102" valign="top" style="width:76.5pt;border-top:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-right:1pt solid windowtext;padding:0in 5.4pt"><p style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt"><span style="font-size:5pt"><br></span> <img src="cid:ii_14e8cd7de7082e4b" width="90" height="96"></p></td><td width="234" valign="top" style="width:175.5pt;border:none;padding:0in 5.4pt"><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><b>LaShawn Myles </b></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12.6667px"><b>Youth Services Librarian</b></span></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><b>Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled</b></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Maryland State Library</span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:9.5pt">415 Park Avenue</span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Baltimore, Maryland 21201-3603</span></p><p style="font-size:12.8px;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a href="tel:(410)%20230-2454" value="+14102302454" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">410-230-2455</a> (office)</span></p><p style="font-size:12.8px;margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a href="tel:(410)%20333-2095" value="+14103332095" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">410-333-2095</a> (fax)</span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><a href="mailto:lashawn.myles@maryland.gov" style="font-size:12.8px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif" target="_blank">lashawn.myles@maryland.gov</a><span style="font-size:12.8px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><br></p><p dir="ltr" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font size="2" face="arial, sans-serif"><a href="https://msla.maryland.gov/Pages/LBPD.aspx" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline">Click here</span></a><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"> to visit the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled website and sign up for weekly updates.</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;vertical-align:baseline"><font size="2" face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);line-height:1.656;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;vertical-align:baseline"><font size="2" face="arial, sans-serif">Follow us on Social Media!</font></span></p><ul style="color:rgb(34,34,34);margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MDLBPD/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><font size="2" face="arial, sans-serif">Facebook</font></span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://twitter.com/MDLBPD/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><font size="2" face="arial, sans-serif">X</font></span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/marylandstatelibrary" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><font size="2" face="arial, sans-serif">LinkedIn</font></span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="margin-left:15px;list-style-type:disc;background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/maryland_state_library/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank"><span style="background-color:transparent;vertical-align:baseline"><font size="2" face="arial, sans-serif">Instagram</font></span></a></p></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><input name="virtru-metadata" type="hidden" value="{&quot;email-policy&quot;:{&quot;disableCopyPaste&quot;:false,&quot;disablePrint&quot;:false,&quot;disableForwarding&quot;:false,&quot;enableNoauth&quot;:false,&quot;expires&quot;:false,&quot;sms&quot;:false,&quot;expirationNum&quot;:1,&quot;expirationUnit&quot;:&quot;days&quot;,&quot;expirationDate&quot;:null,&quot;isManaged&quot;:false},&quot;attachments&quot;:{},&quot;compose-id&quot;:&quot;17&quot;,&quot;compose-window&quot;:{&quot;secure&quot;:false}}"></div>