Checkmate

Chess is a game played and loved by millions, acting as a platform to expand logic and critical thinking skills of all who play. The endless possibilities of moves in a chess game echo the endless possibilities for expression like that of a blank canvas or blank page. This game of skill and possibilities has recently found its niche in Lamar School. The Chess Club’s inaugural year was 2017, when the founding members Tate Smith and Ryan Griffeth attended the first MSAIS chess tournament. Ryan’s love of chess was first sparked while learning from his grandfather, an avid chess player in Finland. They would sit while Ryan learned to play, his grandfather pointing out bad moves and making him redo them until they were sufficient. Tate, on the other hand, is mostly self-taught. While he knew the basic rules, he said he was first intrigued by chess after consistently losing to some of his fellow Boy Scouts. So Tate began teaching himself skills and strategies of the game, practicing constantly. After researching chess tournaments as an outlet for his newfound skills, he recruited Ryan to register with him for the first MSAIS chess tournament, thus beginning the Lamar team. At this first tournament in 2017, Ryan placed first and Tate placed third, an impressive showing for Lamar’s first event. In 2018, the boys attended the tournament again, this time with more of their high school friends and one middle schooler. That year, Ryan placed first once again, and the middle schooler, Hob Carleton, impressively won second place in the junior varsity division. The tournament uses a Swiss scoring system that ranks players based on previous performances, wins and losses, and total points obtained during the five games played. The boys on the team wished to expand the club, making it a more concrete opportunity by opening its ranks to anyone who desires to play and loves the game of chess. The 2020 MSAIS chess tournament was held on October 31st in Jackson, and the Lamar Chess Team finished with a strong 2nd place win. If anyone desires to learn more about the riveting game of chess, the strategies behind it, or simply the basic rules, Chess Club welcomes you.