April 7, 2011 12:39 AM CST

Physics society to host chess tournament

by Brett Saunders

The Society of Physics Students will host a chess tournament in Room 109 Gallalee Hall Friday at 3:30 p.m. for anyone who wants to participate. The cost is $5 for those who want to sign up for the tournament in advance, and for those who want to sign up the day of the tournament, the cost will be $10.

The society created the tournament last year in hopes of unifying and promoting itself.

“It is a good way to get people to bond and have fun, and it is an intellectual game,” organization Vice President Tara Gernhardt said. “Last year, since it was our first year, it took us about a month to get set up, but this year it was much faster; it took us about a week.”

The prize this year will be $50 to the top non-faculty participant.

“Anyone can come out and play—the more the merrier—and we will also have games for people who don’t know how to play chess,” President of the Society of Physics Students Heath Gurganus said. “Last year’s turnout was OK but not as good as we wanted it. It was on a Saturday, and there was a Tornado watch. We hope to have many more this year.

“Each game will have about an hour time limit, so the games don’t last too long,” he said.

The society was inactive until last year when the current members of the society re-founded it, Gurganus said, and it was created to give students the opportunity to spend time with each other.

“Considering that the club is new, we usually have about 15 people at each meeting,” Gernhardt said.

Gurganus said the society tries to meet once or twice a month, and they host speakers or watch a movie to help members get to know one another.

“I think it is a great idea to get in touch with other physics students and to present the Society of Physics Students,” said Claudia Mewes, the society’s faculty advisor. “This event is all about having fun and getting to know each other.

“As the advisor, I help with everyday organization and problems that the students may face during physics,” she said.

Proceeds for the chess tournament will go toward the SPS, helping them fund more of their activities and events in the future.

“What we make at this event will go to our funds for the SPS,” Gurganus said.

To find out more about the chess tournament, contact Heath Gurganus at sps@bama.ua.edu or visit physics.ua.edu.

If you go:

What: The Society of Physics Students’ chess tournament

Where: Room 109 Gallalee Hall

When: Friday at 3:30 p.m.

Source: http://cw.ua.edu