All The Right Moves Knowing Math Is The Magic Behind Chess

When I look at a chess board, I see so much more than black and white squares. The game is pure math to me.

Each piece moves in a mathematical way - the mysterious way the knight will always alternate colors while the bishops remain on the same color no matter where you move. The eight-by-eight grid composing 64 squares. Combining four of these produces 49 larger squares. Four of these will create 36, then 25, 16, nine, four and finally one.

The basis of the game is derived from geometry but the functions of each piece creates logic in the purest form. When looked at carefully, one discovers absolutely no part of chess is based on luck and the player is forced to rely on his or her own intelligence.

“I like chess because it’s not a game of luck like many others,” says North Central sophomore Bryce Harrison. “It’s a game of mental skill and patience.”

It is scary to think there is nothing to back you up and no excuse for losing a game besides that fact that you didn’t play as well as your opponent.

But many people make chess a major part of their life precisely because of the endless challenges. Each game creates a new experience that players can learn from. Even though there are titles of master and grandmaster, there is no way to master the game of chess. No matter how long you play or how much you study, you can never claim you know everything about chess.

It’s a lifelong challenge.

Unfortunately, not many young people get into chess. The biggest thing that stands in the way of more participation in chess is the stereotype.

Some people characterize chess players as “nerds,” “geeks” or “dweebs,” but it is apparent just through the players in North Central’s chess club that this in not the case. There are lots of diverse interests. Our top player, Nathan Fewel, was the ASB president last semester; our number-two guy is currently directing a play. We have a percussionist, a foreign exchange student, varsity-level athletes and honor students. These people are not the nerds or dweebs thought to have no social lives.

“It’s the most intelligent game there is,” said Marcus Wasserfall, a senior. “I like the people I play with and the challenge.”

Another obstacle is Spokane’s recent history of having a poor pool of competition for the serious chess player. This makes it hard for players to get ahead.

Here’s why: In tournaments, players achieve a rating depicting their chess ability. Our area consists of only about 30 active players. In order to improve one’s rating, a player must steal points away by either beating or tying a player who has a higher rating. Without many players outside of our region coming in to let us take a few points, we are stuck trading points back and forth with each other.

It’s vital for those who are aiming at a high rating to play in competitions elsewhere. Players in the high school level and below are finding problems doing this. The schools in Spokane threw out this extracurricular activity a number of years ago, leaving the students who are serious chess players few places to turn to improve their ability.

On the other hand, the Seattle area never lost its chess clubs and has consistently had many players improve into the masters and grandmasters of today.

You may think, “How does a chess club help a student?” It helps by challenging the student to think more logically and even improves his or her concentration and motivation. Some colleges offer scholarships for chess players - including two that provide a full ride.

Seeing these advantages for the students and the desire in the area, North Central has brought back its chess club this year. You may have heard of the infamous Fewel, who is the state high school chess champion for two years now. With the help of Tim Cox, our chess adviser, and the administration, Fewel revived the chess club. Interested peaked when Nate played nearly 30 students and teachers at once last year, defeating them all.

Now that we’ve got our chess club, all that’s left now is to find competition from other schools.

With that in mind, NC challenged other high schools in the area to follow our lead and attempt to defeat us. To raise popularity, the club held a small tournament after school in January for any interested high school students. About two dozen players competed.

So consider chess. As Fewel says, it’s “mind against mind.”

MEMO: For more information about other chess events, or if you want to meet NC’s challenge, please call Tyler Ross at 325-9307.

This sidebar appeared with the story: CHESS TOURNEY Interested in playing or watching a chess match? Here’s your chance: Auntie’s Bookstore is hosting a tournament for youth on March 15. The tournament is limited to the first 100 registrants. Check-in is 10:30 a.m., and competitors will play in one of two age divisions: 13 to 17, and 12 and under. The entry fee is $5 for preregistered competitors or $10 at the door. Drop by Uncle’s Game Store in Auntie’s to register, or call 456-4607 before March 13 to register. During the tournament, North Central senior Nathan Fewel will put on a chess exhibition beginning at 4 p.m. Challengers pay $5 (adults) or $1 (people 17 and younger) to play against the chess whiz. All proceeds from the matches will benefit the Lewis and Clark project to install permanent chess boards in Riverfront Park. Any more questions? Call Auntie’s at 838-0206.