Plains Library starts Chess club

There is a place in Plains where people can now go battle each other - one on one, face to face, toe to toe, Mano a Mano - and walk away unscathed. It's the new Plains Public Library Chess Club, which presently meets on the second Wednesday of each month, although the club is likely to add more nights because organizers are getting a lot of interest.

Fifteen people showed up for the chess club last week and immediately paired up for combat. There's no cost to join the club, no age limit and no skill level restrictions. Seventy-one-old Greg Clay was the most senior, while six-year-old Maichelle Champneys was the youngest of the group. Clay has been playing since the early 1970s and Champneys is a brand new beginner. "She has the moves down, she's doing pretty good," said Terry Watkins, the club's primary organizer. Maichelle's sisters, Michaela, 8, and Moriah, 10, also played. All three have been learning from their dad, Josh. Michaela has been playing chess for about two and a half years and Moriah started three and a half years ago. Both play chess online.

The players wear name tags in order to get to know each other. Watkins set the games up at 30-minute sessions and then they switch opponents. He said they can usually get one or two games in during that time span. If a game is unfinished, they could just add up the points to determine a winner. Pieces range from 1-9 points.

"Right now, I'm trying to get them familiar with each other and give them the chance to see each other's skills," said Watkins, 69, who learned to play the game growing up in Oregon. As a Corvallis High School senior in Oregon, he took third place at the state finals. Watkins wasn't the only chess champ of the group. Jubal Ryan, 22, was the Plains High School champion in 2017. On Wednesday, he went undefeated in six games. Kris Rivinius was his toughest opponent, said Ryan, who's been playing chess since he was 3 years old . Ryan said the club is perfect for getting a chance to play with more people and with different skill levels.

Gary Olson reiterated that the club is a great way to take on new opponents and meet other chess players. "It's the best kind of war you can possibly have," added the 51-year-old Olson, whose only loss was to Clay. Olson constantly gave move hints to the beginners. "This is so cool. It's a bunch of different people coming together to play chess," said Olson, who learned the game at age 5. "I was young and played people that were older. That's how you get really good," he said.

All of the participants, so far, are Plains residents. While the game of chess is normally one of a quiet concentration, the youngest boy there, 9-year-old Isaac Erickson, had a sound effect for every move with a somewhat different noise for each chess piece. He also didn't mind tossing out a little chess trash talk against his opponents. Most sat quietly as they studied the board and their opponent's moves. Watkins talked during his bouts, but it was to give his adversaries help with their moves. "I love teaching people to play. It's almost as much fun as playing," said Watkins.

"Definitely, you can learn more by losing," said Watkins, who is excited with the new club. Cindy Thomas, the library technician, recently had inquiries from two patrons about a chess club in Plains and knowing Watkins played, asked if he'd be interested in running the club. She was amazed at the response and was pleased at the number of people in the community that showed up to play.

The library purchased six chess sets, but Watkins said some people brought their own. Clay had the most unusual set there with the entire 32 pieces and board made of metals. With a combination of brass, steel and aluminum, the pieces were various types of nuts, bolts and washers welded or glued together. It took Clay about a month to make the set, which he did in the early 1990s.

"It's frustrating, but it's fun," said Julia Wilson, who took turns holding baby Bruce with her husband, Brandon, while competing on the chessboard. "It makes me excited about the next time because I'll get some new ideas," she said.

Watkins said they'll eventually figure out the participants' playing skills, but he added that it's good for players to confront those with different skills and to learn new strategies. "The way to have fun in chess is to lay a trap for your opponent and see if it works. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't," said Watkins, who added that it's a great game for the mind. He also noted that there aren't a lot of opportunities in Plains to meet with other chess players. He plays against the computer sometimes and has won on the lower skill levels. "It's whooped me a few times and it's tough getting beat by a machine," said Watkins. "At the top level the best I've done is a stalemate."

He said that one of the best things about chess is that it teaches a person to concentrate. "I think it's more than just a game; it's a discipline for life," said Brienne Champneys, mother of the three girls. She said her girls love being part of the club and plan to stick with it. "It's mind and mentally stimulating," said Champneys, who believes the game even helps them with their schoolwork. "It really helps with attention span and helps them think ahead. They're already asking me if they can go more," she said.

"You're never too old or too young to play chess; it's a game of the mind and anything that exercises the mind is good," said Watkins. "For me, it's a way to serve the community and it's a lot of fun," he said. Thomas said that as far as she knows this is the first time the library has sponsored a chess club. "This is for everybody," said Thomas, "and if you don't know how to play chess, Terry will teach you."

The club meets at the library on the second Wednesday of each month from 4-6 p.m. For more information, contact the Plains Public Library at (406) 826-3101. The next date is April 12.