SOCES Chess Club Tournament

BY: JEREMY SHISHKIN 25'

Chess is becoming increasingly popular especially at SOCES. It is a fun game that requires strategy and skill, and everyone enjoys playing it! The Chess Club at SOCES is also gaining popularity. Meetings are every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday during lunch at the gym. Whether you enjoy playing chess recreationally, or plan on competing, the SOCES Chess Club has many options for you.

Chess Club’s first official tournament began on Wednesday (03/01). Matches are played in round robin style. In other words, students will start off playing their opponents and gradually progress to face other winning higher level opponents. All players will also have a chance to play against one another in a season league style. Double elimination matches will also be implemented. Each player progresses by winning best out of 3 matches. The winner will also receive a prize. The prize will be free SOCES Chess Club merchandise.

The Chess Club will also soon be selecting a competitive team that will compete against other schools. Come to the meetings to find out more information.

The president, Sanzhar Satenov, says that the members of the club inspired him the most to start tournaments. “Many club members want to do more than just playing for fun. They brought up an idea to play competitive chess.” Sanzhar and the rest of the cabinet members decided on making a tournament (with the help of their sponsor: Coach Crockett). Sanzhar feels that “as of now, everyone is happy with the club.” The club actively takes suggestions from members and even increased their meetings from once a week to 3 times a week.

Sanzhar Satenov also says that the tournament is going really well. “We have 2 sections in the meetings. One is for timed tournament matches, and the other is for casual play.” He says that people are happy to finally have official competitive chess tournaments during meetings.

The president also says that right now, since the tournament has already started, it is too late to join. But he says that many more tournaments will take place in the future. “You can sign up to play on our Instagram where we provide the latest updates. @soceschess is the Instagram.”

Sanzhar hopes to bring more of what the members want to the club, and possibly even increase Chess Club meetings to being after school. Good luck to all chess competitors and to the chess cabinet members on accomplishing their goals!