Chess is more than just a game for some
Chess is a vehicle that drives people together, creating lasting bonds or merges commonalities between one another. As the year winds down, it is a good as time to reflect and shift gears. I apologize, it seems that I have put the breaks on these chess communications as of late, but I hope to emerge out of the shop after some ongoing and scheduled maintenance. Will 2024 be different? I sure hope so, but will be content with the journey that follows.
On December 16th, the Burnsville Club and Action tournament will take place. What is a Club based tournament you ask? It is a tournament where you can play with others instead of against others as a club. For the scholastic player, one is used to the team based tournaments where the team is defined by the school you attend. The club is a much broader definition, and meant to be more expansive. It is not often where a collection of comrades, a gaggle of gents, a flock of females, or a roundup of relatives get a chance to play together.
Think of it this way: What if your chess-playing trivia group got together, or volleyball league workmates, or university roommates played as a “chess club”. Add few ringers, and you have the makings of a wonderful time. What defines your club is open to interpretation. Local boundaries, common interests, Facebook groups, existing chess clubs, or whatever faction you want to come up with.
The driving point here is community, and we all belong to many communities. Represent your club, your brewery, your disdain of Pineapple on Pizza, or yourself!
Other things to honk your horn about:
This is only one day, Saturday Dec 16th, freeing up the rest of your weekend!
This is not Rated, so you do not need to worry about added memberships and you can play in a casual yet competitive manner without putting your rating on the line.
This is a club and individual tournament, so you can play for the love of chess, go rouge, and play as an individual.
Click here or the button below for more details and the official page of this event.
An informational Zoom Town Hall will also take place early next week, so please stop in and say hi! Thank you for your time.
Jiten Patel, Chess Consultant
From your first move to your last
On and off the chessboard
(original published date December 5, 2023)