Jacobus Hall was abuzz with the sound of silent contemplation and rapid gestures on Friday, January 31. The Stevens Chess Club hosted its first official event of the semester, dubbed the “Introductory Event.”
The event, which was aimed mostly at gathering interest in the club, also provided a friendly environment in which students at Stevens could test their mettle against each other on the chessboard. Of course, the games were not all serious, timed, matches. In fact, quite a few students came just to learn how the game was played. Interested persons could either watch in awe at two seasoned players go head to head in a timed, regular game of chess, or could play against a member of the club who would lightly coach them in strategy as they made moves.
Additionally, to those not playing any timed matches, there was also food and drink, pizza and soda respectively, available to all in attendance.
“We had a good turnout,” said A.J. Mendonez, current President of the Chess Club, “we had around 20 people show up. I really thought that the five pizzas were going to last though. Next time, I’ll remember to order more.”
At the event, two different styles of chess were played. There was the regular, standard chess matches, the ones everyone knows about and most associate with chess, one person versus another. But there was also another style, somewhat less known, called Bughouse. This game variant applies all of the rules of chess, but is played with two boards and four players total. Two players are on one team and will pass over the pieces they defeat from their opponent to their partner, who is directly next to them. Instead of moving a piece, the partner can choose to place down a captured piece, with a few choice exceptions.
“It is pretty awesome,” admitted Nicholas Antonov, a freshman, “I finally found an excuse to play chess!” Others agreed, the event was well welcomed. “I was really glad there was pizza there,” exclaimed Junior Alex Thieke, “it allowed me to keep playing and not have to worry about dinner.” Unfortunately for all, the pizza ran out fairly quick, and some did seem to dislike the soda choices, one bottle of Sprite and two bottles of Coke. But the food was hardly the focus of the event, the chess was.
Former Stevens Chess Club President, Palash Mehta, commented on the event. “There was a whole bunch of new members,” he said, impressed.
“The new venue [Jacobus Lounge] is a great idea, very central to campus.” Mehta and Mendonez both agreed that their previous venue, Babbio Center 110, was a little out of the way for new members.
Mendonez, and the Chess Club as a whole, were very hopeful for the prospects of the new semester.
With a new location, and new members, it is easy to see why. The Chess Club meets every Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the new venue of Jacobus Lounge.
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