I know who hatched the chess club in Springfield, Missouri in 1972, though I am not sure what those founders envisioned beyond a structure for competitive, local chess. Like so many clubs formed in the early 1970's, Fischer's run for the world title surely spawned the idea. Perhaps, like so many who are drawn by the romantic lure of chess, our local players saw themselves as world champions in the making, if only their talents could be schooled among other fish in the sixty-four square pool. Four years after its formation, the first club champion was anointed. Every year since, forty-three years now, the club displays a new name on its championship plaque.
While the club's attendance may dwindled to a handful of fry, the structure remains and those who have graced our doors are remembered via the Springfield Park Board Chess Club website and Facebook page with archival games, photos, and treasured analysis done by our founders. We honor those, too, who created the active ladder play of the 80's and 90's.
What I think keeps the hatchery going might be found in a saying from a former club President, “Never Too Much Chess.”
While the club's attendance may dwindled to a handful of fry, the structure remains and those who have graced our doors are remembered via the Springfield Park Board Chess Club website and Facebook page with archival games, photos, and treasured analysis done by our founders. We honor those, too, who created the active ladder play of the 80's and 90's.
What I think keeps the hatchery going might be found in a saying from a former club President, “Never Too Much Chess.”
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