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Internet impacts Chess Club
Nov 1, 2002 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
Increased interest, a boost in membership, and new variations in the manner of competition –the Internet is making a mark on the Upper School Chess Club. Currently approximately 40 members belong to the Chess Club, but according to the club’s founder, Upper School faculty member Pat Waddell, a lot more people play at Chess Club sponsored tournaments and online –playing each other and people around the world through www.gameknot.com (a game Web site with roughly 50,000 members).
“I am currently playing two sites and I play people from about 10 different countries,” Waddell said. “Students come to my room to play a lot. I keep a game set up all the time. The reason I am so excited about Chess is that it is a thinking game. It helps the students to think ahead. The chess tournaments were originally part of the Georgia Junior Academy of Science (GJAS) and when I left the math department I started the actual club. So it is only about four years old.”
The Chess Club will sponsor a tournament on campus before the New Year. Waddell expects anywhere from 50-80 students to participate. Drew Parker, junior, is the current champion.
The Chess Club bought chess sets for each House with money raised through Stucco Days. The club also bought an intramural trophy that is given during House tournaments on the weekend. Each House has a student representative and play continues until one House wins.
“I am currently playing two sites and I play people from about 10 different countries,” Waddell said. “Students come to my room to play a lot. I keep a game set up all the time. The reason I am so excited about Chess is that it is a thinking game. It helps the students to think ahead. The chess tournaments were originally part of the Georgia Junior Academy of Science (GJAS) and when I left the math department I started the actual club. So it is only about four years old.”
The Chess Club will sponsor a tournament on campus before the New Year. Waddell expects anywhere from 50-80 students to participate. Drew Parker, junior, is the current champion.
The Chess Club bought chess sets for each House with money raised through Stucco Days. The club also bought an intramural trophy that is given during House tournaments on the weekend. Each House has a student representative and play continues until one House wins.
