For the love of chess

For the love of chess
The University Chess Club welcomes all newcomers — skilled or otherwise
By Elisabeth Kramer Freelance reporter
Published: Thursday, October 22, 2009
Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2009

Angled at the end of one of the EMU’s many tables stood an easel draped with an oversized green and white chessboard. Attached with Velcro, chess pieces waited at their chosen positions, mirroring the latest game plan of the University Chess Club.

Letaw recently reinvigorated the club that, as one member recently told her, has been on campus in some form or another for the past 30 years. The current group gathers in the EMU Fishbowl every Thursday at 6 p.m.

Each meeting introduces a new strategy for members to consider and, if they so chose, a game to apply it to. With names like the Gruenfeld Defense and the King’s Indian Attack, the strategies ring more of a combat zone than they do of a game board.

“There really is a thrill of the battle with this game,” said club vice president and fourth year University graduate student Rob Fisette.

To both exercise their skills and indulge in some spirited competition, the club hosts at least one tournament per term. In addition, members often play in off-site competitions.

However, many of those contests are unrated and, as such, focus more on honing rather than glorifying a player’s skill.

Here is the full article.