A California sixth-grader is currently the World Youth Chess Champion. He won the title in Antalya, Turkey, besting 160 opponents through 11 rounds to take the gold for the under-12 boys' division. The victory earned Daniel Naroditsky the title of F̩d̩ration Internationale des ̉checs Master, an international distinction coveted by competitive chess players.

On Friday, the Hays Public Library children's department will host the annual summer chess tournament. The exciting competition will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Randy Brull has been busy teaching chess at the library again this summer. The tournament is always a lot of fun. For more information on the tournament call (785) 625-5916. We could have a future World Youth Chess Champion in attendance.

In last fall's world championships, Naroditsky won nine of his games during the two-week tournament, lost one match and played to a draw with the previously ranked No. 1 player and Ukrainian chess wunderkind Illya Nyzhnyk

Daniel entered the tournament as the 13th-ranked player internationally in his group. Girls play in separate divisions.

Naroditsky's family watched his son's matches online, often in the middle of the night here, with each move posted onto virtual chess boards on the tournament's Web site.

Daniel qualified for the tournament based on his national chess rating, joining a team of 33 from the United States.

Daniel started playing chess when he was 6, learning from his father. The soon-to-be seventh-grader now plays chess a few hours a day and more on the weekends. He studies and plays with grandmasters at the Mechanics' Institute Library and Chess Club in San Francisco. He is more than a chess champion, he is also a straight A student.

Stop by the library's children's department Friday to see the kids in the chess competition.

For more details on activities this week at the Hays Public Library, go to our Web site, www.hayspublib.org.

Friends of the Hays Public Library

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's successful summer book sale.

Bookstore

Books, Etc, the bookstore of the Friends of the Hays Public Library, is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Members of the Friends continue to receive a 10-percent discount on all book purchases from the store.

Children's department

Summer story hours

Summer story hours will be through July 31.

* 3- to 6-year-olds: 10 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays.

* 2-year-olds: 10:45 a.m. Monday and Tuesdays.

* Toddlers -- under the age of 2: 10:45 a.m. Wednesdays.

Parents need to select the day and time of the story hours they wish to enroll their children in. You can enroll by coming to the library or calling (785) 625-5916.

In-Be-Tweeners

Self Defense with Officer Brian Dawson at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Catch the reading bug

Holly Werth, Ellis County Extension horticulture agent, will present a program on ants at 2 p.m. Monday. Werth has an interesting ant farm to share and discuss with participants. Program is limited to 40 participants.

Youth bingo

Children will enjoy coming to the library to play bingo from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursdays in July. Prizes will be given to the winner of each game.

Youth chess lessons and tournament

Children can come to the library for chess lessons at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Enrollment is limited to 30 participants. Please call the children's department at (785) 625-5916 to enroll.

READ Hays

If your student needs help with reading, call the children's department, (785) 625-5916, for a day and time for tutoring.

Adult department

Gallery exhibit

"Elements from the Front Range; Contemporary Quilters," a dazzling survey of some of the most innovative quilt work being done is on display in the library gallery through Aug. 16.

Feed and Film

The films begin at 12:05 p.m. Wednesdays in the library's main floor gallery. They last about an hour. Bring your lunch and a cup -- coffee is provided. This week, join us for "Antietam"

Western Kansas Vegetarian Society

Join us at 11 a.m. Saturday in the library gallery as they look at tofu.

YA department

The young adult department offers a variety of activities, books and other materials geared specifically toward middle school and high school age patrons. All programs are free and for anyone grades six to 12. For more information, call (785) 625-9014.

Weekly programs

Joion us at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Massey Park for croquet.

* Monday -- Drama at 2 p.m., games at 3 p.m.

*¬ PS2 Tuesday -- at 2 p.m.

*¬ Wii Wednesday -- at 2 p.m.

*¬ Make and Take Thursday -- Crafts and more at 2 p.m..

* Friday -- Join us for How to Desserts at 2 p.m.

Free computer classes

Computer basics are each Monday, and Microsoft classes will be every Wednesday. On Fridays, we answer your questions. All classes begin at 10 a.m. Sign up at the front desk. We have limited seating. For more information, call (785) 625-9014.

Kansas Room

The books on display in July are about touring Kansas. There is also a display on unusual Kansas visits and another on Kansas tourism.

Norleen Knoll is the children's department librarian at the Hays Public Library.