Check Out the Westfield Chess Club

Check Out the Westfield Chess Club
By Franco Libuna
o5/18/2009

WESTFIELD, NJ – For many people in New Jersey that enjoy the game of chess, the Westfield Chess Club, www.westfieldchessclub.com, is the place to be on Sundays. The club meets regularly at the Westfield YMCA (220 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ, 07090)

The Westfield Chess Club is one of the most active and well established chess clubs in New Jersey. It has been in existence since at least the 1940s in various locations throughout Westfield. Since the 1990s, its home has been the Westfield YMCA.

What makes the club so enjoyable is the atmosphere. All the boards, pieces, clocks and notation sheets are provided. Many players choose to bring their own equipment but there was more than enough equipment already waiting for the players. Yesterday, 18 boards were set up and ready to go with more setups available if needed.

The club also holds many different types of events, with registration at 2:00 p.m. and play generally starting around 2:30 p.m. They have casual play along with various types of tournaments with various entry fees, many with prizes. A holiday party is held every year in December and the most prestigious event is the annual club championship.

Anyone is welcome to come to the events and join the club. The players come from throughout New Jersey and are of various races and ages and both sexes.

The club is also family-friendly. Many parents bring their children to the club to play. The youngest competitor in Sunday’s event was 6 and the oldest was in his 80s. The parental involvement ranges from dropping the kids off, to watching them play or even competing themselves.

The competitors are friendly and respectful. After the games, it was common for adversaries to review the game they just played to help each other improve. As a precaution, a tournament director is always on hand to settle any disputes that may arise.

Here is the full article.