Record Turnout for First Meeting of Fall, 2021
The transition from an online 2D board to a real 3D chess board wasn’t easy, but we all took the first step together today during chess club. Over 50 motivated players showed up for a showdown as they battled it out over a board. We actually didn’t have enough boards to satisfy all the demand! Luckily, some players stayed scrappy and played each other on their phones, iPads, or pocket checkers (?) sets.
We couldn’t have been happier with all the energy and positivity in the room. Today, we were reminded of how we’re all connected by a shared love for an ancient board game. We’re all trying to improve, whether it is to get revenge on that friend who kept winning against you 10 years ago, or just to make yourself feel more confident in life. Either way, Cornell Chess Club is here to help you by working on the following points:
with this turnout rate, we may permanently need 2 rooms to safely accommodate all the people!
Room 1: for lectures and educational chess. Lecture topics will be chosen by popular vote and prepared by one of our master / expert players. Materials and optional homework will be posted in our chess.com forum so people can review it even if they missed the live lecture.
Room 2: casual games with banter and trashtalk ;)
we will host club tournaments on chess.com! Probably 4 rounds of 15 minute games - adequate time for you to find that knockout tactic :)
more channels on discord so people can easily contact available friends for live games/discussion, and channels specifically for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players
a discord channel for helpful learning resources and tips for improvement
if there is sufficient interest and time, we may implement group mentorship programs in which an advanced player volunteers to coach several others who are enthusiastic about improving!
lastly, be on the lookout for outreach programs in which club volunteers have an opportunity to teach and inspire local Ithaca elementary school students through chess :)
Hope to see everyone again next week in Phillips Hall from 6-9pm! Stay on the chess grind ~