I realize that today there are probably more chess players walking the Earth than any other time in history. This makes me feel not only very lucky to have so many people to play with but also sad at the same time. Why? Because when I starting playing chess computers weren't what they are today. Few people had them and the internet chess community was in it's infancy.
I, like most chess players 15+ years ago had to get dressed and go to my local chess club. My fondest memories and what led me to become a lifelong chess enthusiast stem from the interactions with the people I met there. In those days my chess club had a huge active roster of players and it was not unusual to have 15 games going at once on a Friday night and sometimes on a Wednesday afternoon. There would be arguments in one corner, kids pouring over puzzles in another, the smell of coffee, and the clack of analog clocks in every direction.
We would discuss everything from politics, religion, race, sexuality, and whatever else. To me it was a social club as much as a chess club. But now that same building that is still in operation today is dying. Not because of lack of funding, or lack of chess players in the area, but because nowadays internet chess has become the norm and the club, something lower on the list. During the week we have maybe 5 people and on a Friday night, 15 if we are lucky.
I'm glad that the internet chess scene has become what it has. I play on this site daily. But I still drag myself to the club every Friday night to hang with friends that have become like family and remember where chess started and what it really is. You never wonder if your opponent cheated, you can play touch move, you have to call your opponents time, and yes, you even get to snatch the occasional king.
I know I'm being nostalgic. I just hope somebody reads this and remembers that maybe they have a place near them where they can experience what I did. Take your kids, bring a six pack, go just to watch or to play 2 games. Bring back the real chess community before it's gone.
I, like most chess players 15+ years ago had to get dressed and go to my local chess club. My fondest memories and what led me to become a lifelong chess enthusiast stem from the interactions with the people I met there. In those days my chess club had a huge active roster of players and it was not unusual to have 15 games going at once on a Friday night and sometimes on a Wednesday afternoon. There would be arguments in one corner, kids pouring over puzzles in another, the smell of coffee, and the clack of analog clocks in every direction.
We would discuss everything from politics, religion, race, sexuality, and whatever else. To me it was a social club as much as a chess club. But now that same building that is still in operation today is dying. Not because of lack of funding, or lack of chess players in the area, but because nowadays internet chess has become the norm and the club, something lower on the list. During the week we have maybe 5 people and on a Friday night, 15 if we are lucky.
I'm glad that the internet chess scene has become what it has. I play on this site daily. But I still drag myself to the club every Friday night to hang with friends that have become like family and remember where chess started and what it really is. You never wonder if your opponent cheated, you can play touch move, you have to call your opponents time, and yes, you even get to snatch the occasional king.
I know I'm being nostalgic. I just hope somebody reads this and remembers that maybe they have a place near them where they can experience what I did. Take your kids, bring a six pack, go just to watch or to play 2 games. Bring back the real chess community before it's gone.