NEW ALBANY —
Just about a week ago, Hazelwood Middle School student Christian Harp started playing chess, a game that has been around for centuries.
“It’s a fun game. I’m really catching on,” Harp said.
He said he is able to improve his skill by playing such friends as Parkview Middle School student Josh Mayfield. He also gets better by attending the weekly Chess Club of Southern Indiana meetings at Silver Street United Methodist Church in New Albany.
The club was founded a year ago, and it’s the first of its kind in Southern Indiana since the 1970s.
Founder John Warth is very glad to have an official club once again. The group is open to all ages and skill levels, and members will help those new to the game.
“Almost everyone who comes has played chess before. We seldom see people who haven’t played, but we are prepared to teach them,” said Warth, who also is a private chess instructor, and reviews top chess books for Chess Cafe.
Interestingly, as Warth explained, chess has changed very little since the end of the Renaissance period, and it has attracted a lot of interest through the years. In 1972, chess became popular in the U.S. after Bobby Fisher won the World Championship. Warth explained that he would like to see interest as high as it was then. So far, the weekly meetings attract about a dozen or so, but the club can accommodate up to 70 players.
“If they are here, they want to play or learn to play. Most people sometime in their life become curious, but are often discouraged because it’s a difficult game,” Warth said. “The key is to play people close to your level, or just above to work your way up gradually. It’s not fun to be beaten day in and day out by someone that is so far beyond your capabilities.”
Warth said he recommends that players study chess books and videos in order to get to a higher skill level. Playing tournaments also leads to a higher rank.
Nathan Austin is a top player who started in the game in 1974 when he was 19.
“Someone asked if I wanted to play, so I did. I really liked it. I’ve always been a strategic-type person, so it suited me. The more I played, the more I enjoyed it,” said Austin, who plays in tournaments throughout the country. Someday, Austin would like to be at the grand master level of chess.
Bob Sorrow considers himself new to the game, with two years of playing.
“My favorite part is winning, and the biggest challenge is these guys,” said Sorrow, who says he is getting better at the game every day and continues to study chess books.
Chess Club of Southern Indiana is also a resource for Boy Scouts who are working toward a chess merit badge. Warth said the chess badge is a challenge to obtain, and the chess club can be a place for Scouts to strengthen their game. The chess club also is available to bring chess to organizations, schools, retirement homes, churches and anywhere they are invited.
Silver Street United Methodist also holds a food bank for the community, and the chess club is giving back by asking its members to bring canned goods in order to support the mission of the church.
For more information, “like” the Chess Club of Southern Indiana on Facebook. Silver Street United Methodist Church is located at 413 Silver St. in New Albany. The club meets from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays.
Entertainment News
Related Photos
-
Floyd Central High School student CJ Greene fine-tunes his chess skills with Scottsburg resident Tom Gibson at a meeting of the Chess Club of Southern Indiana. The club is celebrating its one-year anniversary and is actively seeking new members who love or want to learn the game. Photos by Amanda Arnold
Discussion
Check mates: Chess Club of Southern Indiana celebrates one year, seeks new players
- Entertainment News
-
-
DDP’s ‘You’re Only Young Twice’ provides comic relief
“You're Only Young Twice” runs through June 30. For tickets and information: 812-288-8281, toll free 877-898-8577, or www.derbydinner.com.
-
Movie preview: “The Hangover Part III”
Plot: The Wolfpack set out in search of Mr. Chow after Doug is kidnapped by a criminal seeking to recover $21 million from the diminutive hustler as the decadent “Hangover” trilogy winds to a close.
-
Movie preview: “Fast & Furious 6”
Plot: In exchange for full pardons, Agent Hobbs summons Dom and his crew to London in order to take on a team of mercenary drivers who have caused havoc across a dozen countries in this pedal-to-the-metal installment of the rubber-burning action franchise.
-
Movie preview: “Epic”
Plot: A teenage girl finds herself transported to a secret universe where she must join forces with a team of whimsical creatures to battle the forces of evil that are trying to destroy their world in this animated adventure comedy based on author William Joyce’s illustrated children’s book.
-
Movie preview: “Star Trek Into Darkness”
Plot: When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within that has left Starfleet in ruins, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.
-
Movie preview: “The Great Gatsby”
Wide-eyed Midwesterner Nick Carraway has just moved to New York City in pursuit of the American Dream. Settling into a home next door to wealthy Jay Gatsby, Carraway grows increasingly fascinated by the elaborate parties held at his new neighbor’s estate.
-
Movie preview: “Peeples”
Plot: Wade Walker may not be a blue blood, but he loves Grace, and he’s eager to propose. Convinced that his best bet is to make his move while Grace’s entire family is present, Wade boldly invites himself to her family reunion, and does his best to make a good impression.
- Uncommon Houseflies release party at Dillingers
-
Movie preview: “Iron Man 3”
Plot: Brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man faces off against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a quest to find those responsible.
-
Movie preview: “Pain and Gain”
Plot: Director Michael Bay helms this over-the-top action comedy about three Miami Beach bodybuilders who hatch an extortion plot that goes hilariously awry.
- More Entertainment News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
