Chess club stronger than ever
The Medicine Hat Chess Club has been around for many years, but its weekend tournament saw 27 Hat children come out to compete — a new high for the club.
Saturday marked the 29th annual Medicine Hat and area spring chess tournament, a great event, says president Bill Taylor.
“This is the most we’ve ever had at this event,” he said. “One would like to think that chess is on the rise, and a lot of the kids also attend the junior classes we’ve held for 19 years.
“It’s good to see so many faces out here today.”
With multiple chess groups and meet-ups throughout the year, Taylor says chess is a game that anyone can enjoy.
“The junior club is for school age,” he said. “We’ve had kindergarten students if they’re talented enough, and anyone interested, there’s going to be something they can attend.
“We also take people of any skill level — we welcome them to come and learn the game of chess.”
Taylor says the strategy behind chess is a big reason it has stayed such a popular game over the years.
“It’s a great intellectual challenge,” he said “Chess also represents some metaphors in life like planning, satisfaction that comes with a successfully executed plan and just the challenge of trying to come up with the best solution to a problem.
“There’s not always a right answer in chess, but it’s about finding more right answers than the person sitting across from you.”
Taylor has been organizing chess in the city since 1994, and is hoping to find someone to help him out with events.
“I’m going to need some support,” he said. “You don’t need to know a whole lot about chess to run a club, and I’m just looking for some help with the junior chess club.
“There’s 15 sessions every year, and we’re looking for a parent volunteer to help out with that.”
To get involved with local chess tournaments or to volunteer go to www.mhchess.com/