Md. service members to take on NATO in chess
2 Fort Meade military members ranked top 5 in U.S.
Published 1:58 PM EDT Sep 05, 2014
By Jason Newton
FORT MEADE, Md. —Chess legend Bobby Fischer once described chess as “war over the board,” but in the coming days, it will be war across borders as players representing NATO forces around the world will square off in Canada.
Two U.S. service members in the global game of dominance are stationed in Maryland, and for them, it’s not your leisurely game of chess.
“I started beating adults, and when you’re a kid beating adults, it’s pretty exciting,” said Master Sgt. Robert Keough, of the U.S. Air Force.
He and Army Col. Dave Hater are both stationed at Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County.
“We’re both in the top 5 percent of all tournament players — all ranked tournament players — in the country,” Hater said.
They’ll soon be deploying to Quebec, Canada, to face the best chess players among NATO allies, and the target rests firmly on Germany.
“There have been 24 (tournaments) prior to this year. Germany has played in 23 of those 24 and won the tournament 20 times of the 23 times that they have shown up,” Hater said.
Like a battle plan, it’s a game of precise decisions.
“There are consequences for your actions. On the chess board, if you make a move and it’s bad, you will lose the game,” Keough said.
But they said chess also has been the calm in the storm of war, and it’s a sense of normalcy that some troops need.
“That builds positive relationships and some camaraderie in a combat zone where there are not as many opportunities to go and do as many things,” Hater said.
On Monday, they’ll begin a new offensive with the goal of chess gold in sight.
“I think it’s unlikely, but at least I can visualize how it could happen,” Hater said.
Win or lose, it’s a challenge among allies bound by chess.
“I’m a chess player. That’s what I like to do,” Keough said.
Source: http://www.wbaltv.com
Good luck!