Chess club meets at Lake Blackshear library
Published 7:32 am Tuesday, July 23, 2024
A student chess club meets every Friday from 11 am-2pm at Lake Blackshear public library. Volunteer Gregory Daniels talked about how he had started helping Valerie Trice, a retired educator, after a friend told him about a Facebook page asking for volunteers. “I think any one of the guys will tell you that they enjoyed themselves. And that’s what it’s about, getting a group of young guys and young women to come out, enjoy themselves.”
He told how everyone had been taught the basic moves of each piece, and now they were working on strategy. “We’re looking for better openings, like Cora Kann. I try not to take them too fast so that they can sustain all the information that they take in.”
Daniels instructed the students on how to execute Caro Kann, first opening with a pawn, and then bringing out a knight. He stressed the important of controlling the middle of the board.
Schylar Davis talked about learning to play chess, telling how he had learned the strategy En Passant. Brandon Bridges also talked about his experience as a one-year chess player. He shared his appreciation for the knights.
Marnita Wilson, a student with a little over a year’s experience, talking about how her step-dad, Daniels, had gotten her into the game. When asked about what she liked the most about it, she replied “the thrill.” She mentioned that her favorite pieces to command were the queen and the bishop.