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Chess club gives students chance to challenge, acquire new skills

March 19, 2014

But for others, they’re in their own element when they’re testing strategy with a game of chess.

That’s what the MSU Chess Club is for — a place where students can come and get their fill of chess games and competition.

The club meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in C517 Wells Hall. Chess Club President Adam Scarchilli said students of all skill level are welcome to come and play.

“Most players are experienced and there are few beginners that know how to play. We help them get better,” Scarchilli said. “We’ll play games and write our moves down and analyze them. Sometimes we will play timed games where we won’t and analyze our decisions after.”

The club was restarted in spring of 2012 after participation and interest had faded out. Scarchilli and his friends had to work to revitalize the club to bring it where it is now.

The club regularly plays tournaments, as well as timed and untimed matches.

Bughouse chess is the two-versus-two style team aspect of chess, which incorporates more teamwork and strategy, Scarchilli said. Each team has five minutes to make all their moves across the board. The speed of the game is very fast-paced.

Kinesiology senior Zeke Houghton, vice president of the club, said he loves chess and this club allows him to stay sharp every day.

“I love the game just because it is fun and it ?gives your brain kind of a workout, too,” Houghton said. “Everyone here, it’s a great group of guys. It’s a good social environment to hang out in.”

The club is trying to meet up with the University of ?Michigan’s chess club for a match in the near future.

Graduate student Guillermo Rey said he’s learned so much from the club, even though ?he only started playing with the club two weeks ago.

“They taught me that you can go step-by-step and ?that every step is simple,” Rey said.

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