Chess Club during their weekly meeting in room 2109.
Watauga’s Chess Club has been operating for years. Giving enthusiastic students a place to hone their skills or simply play for fun, Chess Club provides a space for players to find a game, which is a daunting prospect at times given the intense aversion towards chess that many people hold.
“I think chess teaches problem solving and it teaches logic,” said club advisor Mike Combs. “The conversations people often have playing chess are very meaningful.”
Chess Club has struggled through the pandemic, relying mainly on online games. The club has also lost many members with outgoing classes and has a notable lack of upperclassmen. Despite this, the club does have a number of devoted members with a wide range of experience.
Freshman Elliot Holcomb, for example, has a great deal of prior experience.
“I’ve played for a while,” Holcomb said. “I was on the chess team for Hardin Park, and I saw the opportunity to try again here.”
The majority of current members have played chess for some period of time before they joined, but not all, and Chess Club also provides a good opportunity for those wishing to learn how.
“I’ve never played chess before,” said freshman Chloe Ellis. “ I just saw it as a chance to learn something.”
Even players with experience have found opportunities to learn at Chess Club.
“I’ve been playing for a few years now,” said freshman Rachel Ingram. “It’s an opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people.”
With this dedicated core of members, Mr. Combs hopes to build and organize a series of strong traditions and club events. Tournaments are an important part of chess in the wider world, and chess has an active professional competitive aspect.
“If we had a few more people come out we’d have enough for tournaments,” Combs said.
Chess Club also hopes to introduce other professional chess staples such as timers. Along with these plans however, Chess Club still intends to maintain a close knit community and social aspect.
“I love bringing people together,” said Combs.
Those interested in Chess Club can attend their weekly meetings in room 2109. Those with schedule conflicts may also get in touch with Mr. Combs about borrowing a chess set.
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