Classic City Chess Club makes welcome comeback

After years of chess-lessness in Athens, the world's greatest mental sport has finally found a home.

Classic City Chess Club was originally founded more than a decade ago by Steve Wilkins and was held weekly at Books-a-Million. The club soon fell apart but was finally revived last spring.

"It came together in a rather organic manner," said Nickolaus Johnson, who helped found the new club. "We're looking to educate people and really make chess a passion."


CLASSIC CITY CHESS CLUB
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Saturdays at Borders (Beechwood)
Sundays at Earthfare (Five Points)
Cost: FREE

The club now meets at Borders bookstore on Saturdays and Earthfare on Sundays.

Like most chess clubs, the friendly social atmosphere at Classic City makes the game even more enjoyable.

"The whole point of chess is to have fun," said sophomore Daniel Martin.

"Hanging out and watching a chess game can be just as fun as playing in one."

Classic City Chess Club is also a United States Chess Federation affiliate, which means that individuals may become USCF members, keep track of their own chess ranking and enter local or national tournaments.

"A big aspiration is to get people prepared for tournament play," said Johnson. "Tournaments will begin in September, and we will be holding rated tournaments within the next three months."

As of now, you do not have to be a member of the USCF to play in the tournaments, but there will be an entry fee. Top players will win the cash pot.

The many features of the chess club include giant steps towards major future developments. "Our goal is to get enough interest and force to open up a fixed location as opposed to having it at places," said Johnson.

Classic City also hopes to expand its program into local schools as well. "We want to get as many kids as possible involved," added Johnson.

More than a decade ago, Athens experienced a tremendous uprising of chess programs and clubs in its school district.

Whitehead Road, Chase Street and Barnett Shoals Elementary, along with Clarke Central High, were among the various public schools that brought home countless trophies and national chess championships to the Athens community.

"(Classic City Chess Club) could very well be the start of a revival in the local chess program," said freshman C.J. McCormick, a former member of the chess program at Whitehead Road Elementary.

"Chess is an important game for youth because it results in both logical and creative thinking," said senior Nathan Horne, a former chess player for the championship team at Whitehead Road Elementary and Clarke Central High School. "It's great to see that the game is still alive in Athens."