There have been chess clubs off and on in Moose Jaw, but there isn’t one right now, and that’s a problem Chris Frenette wants to solve by founding the Moose Jaw Chess Club, which will meet for the first time at Bobby’s on May 1.
“I lived here a few years back, and again, back then, I think the closest chess club was the Queen City Chess Club in Regina, through the university,” Frenette explained to MooseJawToday.com. “There might have a chess club at the (Moose Jaw Public Library) in 2018, but it didn’t really take off.
“I don’t want to presume that this one will either, but essentially, without a chess club, there’s no way for chess players in the city to get together and share in the hobby, whether that’s competitive or casual. Especially post-pandemic, I think folks are looking to get in person and meet others with common interests.”
Frenette created the Facebook page for the Moose Jaw Chess Club on April 8. It took off immediately and now has 40 members, including library staff who have invited Frenette to make the Moose Jaw Public Library (MJPL) one of the club’s venues.
Frenette is completely on board with that proposal — he might love the idea of playing chess in a pub over a pint, but he also wants youth and people with weekend availability to be able to enjoy the club.
“What we’re going to do, I think, is alternate,” he said. “It’ll be a Monday at Bobby’s, and then the next meeting at the library, and they’re willing to host us.
“I think eventually, we would want to join the provincial body for chess, maybe even compete against the folks from Queen City Chess Club. I would definitely be open to that.”
For now, though, Frenette just wants casual get-togethers with fellow chess enthusiasts. Everyone is welcome, from those who have never played before to lifelong players who can share their experience and expertise.
“If we get even six people out for that first meeting, I’ll be happy with that,” he added. “That would be three boards, and that would be a beginning, you know, from no chess club to having a chess club. We have to start somewhere.”
That will be Monday, May 1, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Bobby’s Place Olde World Tavern, 63 High Street East.
Chess is one of the most ancient and enduring games of strategy and tactics. Its history can be traced back to India in the 6th century, and from there it spread throughout the world, evolving and adapting to different cultures and styles. Chess has been played for centuries by rulers, scholars, and everyone else, and its popularity continues to thrive, with millions of players and enthusiasts around the globe.
The recent Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit (2020) has contributed to yet another chess revival. Based on the novel by Walter Tevis, The Queen’s Gambit follows the life of orphan chess prodigy Beth Harmon. Set in the 1960s, Harmon fights her inner demons, challenges stereotypes about her gender, and navigates Cold War politics to rise in the ranks of the ultra-elite competitive chess world.
The show was acclaimed by critics and viewers alike and has helped skyrocket the game’s popularity, especially among young women.
If you’d like to learn chess, become a better player, and/or enjoy the company of fellow chess players, join the Moose Jaw Chess Club on Facebook and get out for a few games.
