The kids who participate in the Aiken Public Safety Police Athletic League's chess club are learning to appreciate what the game has to offer.

It doesn't wow with the glitz of video and the flash of animated graphics. It's still played the way their grandpas played it. But chess teaches valuable lessons.

"The things they learn in chess are really something that they can use in life," said Sgt. Wilson Dandy, who heads up the club that started in 2006. "Chess teaches patience and strategy."

The boys and girls involved range in age from 11 to 18 and meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at the Crosland Park Senior Citizens Center.

At first, participation was scarce but now it's coming along.

"Once (the kids) saw what's involved with chess, the strategy and planning, they decided they liked it," Sgt. Dandy said. "They play for only an hour, but sometimes they get so into it, they go longer."

Individuals volunteer their time to teach the kids about the game.

Josh Booth, who works at Security Federal Bank on Laurens Street, is one of the volunteers.

Mr. Booth believes that the slow, methodical game is a good lesson for the kids because the rules of chess go against the "instant gratification-type culture" that they are used to.

"Chess teaches that things don't come at the push of a button," he said. "You prepare and make plans for things to happen. That's the crux of it. They expect things too easily these days."

Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.