National Chess Day

Today is USA National Chess Day!

October 9, 1976, President Gerald Ford set aside this day “To give special recognition to a game that generates, challenge, intellectual stimulation, and enjoyment for citizens of all ages.”

On October 9, 1976, President Gerald Ford, the nation’s thirty-eighth president, proclaimed that October 9th would henceforth be known as National Chess Day in the United States. Interestingly, National Chess Day began in South Carolina. It was created by the late Bill Dodgen, who was President of the South Carolina Chess Association for a number of years. It was originally a state chess day in South Carolina, but Bill quickly expanded it to a nationwide effort, and was appointed National Chess Day Chairman. Bill’s idea was to encourage local and state chapters to organize events to bring in beginners and others who enjoyed the game of chess but had never played in an organized event.

Texas Tech will have our own National Chess Day event to be held at our own beautiful SPICE Chess Park at 10:00 am.