2008 Woodie Awards
Club/Student Organization
Chess Club
Mekia Williams
Issue date: 11/7/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The Chess Club started just a few years ago and is still in the process of getting the ball rolling. Although chess seems like such a serious game, the atmosphere of the Chess Club is quite a friendly and social environment.
Christopher (Christo) Raines '08, president of the Chess Club, learned to play chess through his father. He considers himself an intermediate chess player with the goal of beating his dad at chess more than just once. To this day, Raines still carries around a 40-year-old chessboard from his dad that he takes to far off places, as he enjoys being able to play chess in scenic backgrounds like Mexico and Belize.
During the course of this "meeting," the club members play games of chess, socialize and get to know one another a little better. They also talk about recent events relating to chess, such as local events and tournaments that allow the members to learn a little more about the chess world.
Most of the players in the club, as described by Raines, are "casual players." They have either been taught by their own parents or learned in some similar way.
Raines explained his philosophy on the skill of chess as being "not for the weaker of the mind or heart." However, he said, "People that don't know how to play should be encouraged to play and get more comfortable with the game in order to enjoy the atmosphere of the club."
In addition to getting more people to join and find interest in chess, the club has a series of other goals. The Chess Club would one day like to be able to partake in tournaments. The only thing stopping them is there are not enough members. One of the main goals of the club has been trying to get the word out about the club by playing chess in Oliver Hall's cafeteria, and simply using word of mouth to spread interest about the club.
Raines explained how he would also like to get t-shirts for the fairly new club, possibly at reasonable prices from a non-sweatshop company. Also, the club would like to change their meeting place to Delphine Intercultural Center in order to coincide with a more comfortable atmosphere that the Chess Club tries to promote. Raines is hoping that these goals can be achieved sometime in the spring semester. For those Facebook members, the Chess Club has also formed a group under the website in which about 45 people take part. Raines hopes that, someday, the many people that have joined the club virtually will also be a part of the club physically.
Christopher (Christo) Raines '08, president of the Chess Club, learned to play chess through his father. He considers himself an intermediate chess player with the goal of beating his dad at chess more than just once. To this day, Raines still carries around a 40-year-old chessboard from his dad that he takes to far off places, as he enjoys being able to play chess in scenic backgrounds like Mexico and Belize.
During the course of this "meeting," the club members play games of chess, socialize and get to know one another a little better. They also talk about recent events relating to chess, such as local events and tournaments that allow the members to learn a little more about the chess world.
Most of the players in the club, as described by Raines, are "casual players." They have either been taught by their own parents or learned in some similar way.
Raines explained his philosophy on the skill of chess as being "not for the weaker of the mind or heart." However, he said, "People that don't know how to play should be encouraged to play and get more comfortable with the game in order to enjoy the atmosphere of the club."
In addition to getting more people to join and find interest in chess, the club has a series of other goals. The Chess Club would one day like to be able to partake in tournaments. The only thing stopping them is there are not enough members. One of the main goals of the club has been trying to get the word out about the club by playing chess in Oliver Hall's cafeteria, and simply using word of mouth to spread interest about the club.
Raines explained how he would also like to get t-shirts for the fairly new club, possibly at reasonable prices from a non-sweatshop company. Also, the club would like to change their meeting place to Delphine Intercultural Center in order to coincide with a more comfortable atmosphere that the Chess Club tries to promote. Raines is hoping that these goals can be achieved sometime in the spring semester. For those Facebook members, the Chess Club has also formed a group under the website in which about 45 people take part. Raines hopes that, someday, the many people that have joined the club virtually will also be a part of the club physically.