Anyone up for a game of chess?
It’s the most popular board game in history and more than three million sets are sold in the United States each year.
Perhaps you have a set yourself and have dabbled with it here and there, but you aren’t exactly sure how to play.
Perhaps you know how to play, but you don’t know anyone else who does play.
Perhaps you are totally clueless, but want to learn.
Rodman Public Library’s newest monthly program – Rodman Chess Club – may be just what you need.
Every third Wednesday of every month, chess boards will be set up in the auditorium at the Main Library for those who play and are looking for an opponent, those who sort of play and are looking to learn more about the classic game, or for those who are interested in getting started.
“I’m excited to have this program come to fruition,” said Byrun Reed, a reference librarian who will facilitate the program. “For the past six or seven months, we have had a passive chess program going on and there seems to be some interest.”
Midway through the year, Reed set up a chess board on a table in the reference department and placed a sign stating “Your Move.”
Patrons would take turns moving pieces around the board to keep a game going. Eventually, patrons started to play entire matches against each other.
That gives Reed some hope that the Rodman Chess Club will be a popular program among players of all skill levels.
“There was a lot of activity around that board,” said Reed. “It was a good way to gauge if there were people who were looking for other chess enthusiasts or those would be interested in learning to play.”
Reed will host the inaugural meeting of the Rodman Chess Club on Wednesday, January 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Although it is called a club by name, there is no formal membership and no registration is needed to attend the monthly sessions. Open to all ages, the only requirement is that those attending have an interest in chess.
Reed describes himself as a “novice” chess player and says he will not be on hand to necessarily teach people how to play, although there will be experienced players in attendance who will be able to help explain the game.
“The idea is to provide a place where people can come together to play chess and explore the game and learn together,” said Reed.