Few games are as famous as chess. The ultimate game of strategy dates back nearly 1,000 years in India and today has 800 million players worldwide.

   Senior Aimee Wang is one such player and started the Chess Club at LHS in 2018 when she was a freshman. Currently, Chess Club meets virtually via Zoom, with Library Media Specialist Christine Anderson as the sponsor. The club uses Chess.com to play against each other and discuss strategy.

   “We recently were able to get Chess.com unblocked, and I’m excited to utilize it,” Wang said.

   The club is open to anyone interested in chess and all levels are welcome. The club consists of beginners looking to learn the rules as well as more advanced players wanting to improve their game. 

   Wang has played chess since third grade and loves the strategy of the game.

   “I like trying to predict the opponent’s moves and being able to see the connections with all the pieces,” Wang said. “It’s a web of connections and depending on how you move, it could either advance your position or it could be a big disadvantage.”

   In past years, Chess Club has partnered with Kansas City Chess Club, who sent representatives to teach students strategies to better their game. Chess Club has also participated in tournaments and won team trophies. This year, Wang is unsure how COVID-19 will affect these plans, however, for now, the club is sticking to virtual Zoom meetings.

   Wang encourages all students to attend a meeting and try out the game.

   “You never know until you try whether you like something or not,” Wang said. “We have people who join the club and decide it’s not their thing, and we have many people who join and decide they want to stay and get better at the game.”

   If interested in Chess Club and attending a meeting, contact Aimee Wang ([email protected]) or Anderson ([email protected]). Chess.com is a great resource to learn the game.