“Think of a virus so advanced, it infects not the blood but the thoughts of its human host. Liver and spleen are spared; instead, this bug infiltrates the frontal lobes of the brain, dominating such prime cognitive functions as problem solving, abstract reasoning, fine motor skills, and, most notably, agenda setting. It directs thoughts, actions, and even dreams. This virus comes to dominate not the body, but the mind.” – David Shenk, The Immortal Game

Chess is a timeless game consisting of 64 squares, 32 pieces, and 2 sides. Two opposing sides control 16 pieces that hold a specific purpose and sets of moves. In a medley of black and white, players use strategy, concentration, and forethought to beat their opponent and achieve checkmate. But Chess is more than a mere activity: as Armenian-Soviet Chess Grandmaster and former World Champion Tigran Petrosian once eloquently said, “Chess is a game by its form, an art by its content and a science by the difficulty of gaining mastery in it.” Despite this though, many people internalize the misconception that chess is a game that only certain minds can appreciate. However, chess can be enjoyed by anyone willing to make that first move. In fact, people have been playing chess for centuries, from its origins as an Indian game called “chaturanga”, circa A.D. 600, to its more recognizable medieval beginnings. Nowadays though, chess can be enjoyed across a vast range of skill levels, from the highly-acclaimed World Chess Championships to even an AMHS recreational school club. 

The Chess Club is a recurring club at Academic Magnet, featuring the beloved Mr. Garris as its teacher supervisor, and Finn Hayes (Senior) and Lincoln Boucher (Junior) as co-presidents. In an interview, the three stated their feelings on Chess Club and what they enjoy most about the quick-witted game. 

Mr. Garris: “Magnet’s Chess Club is a place for people of all skill levels. I’ve lost more games to my students than I can count (just ask Lincoln!), but thanks to that I’ve learned so much more about the game than when I first started the club five years ago.”

Finn Hayes: “Chess Club has been a part of my experience at Magnet for most of my time here. Over those years, I’ve often appreciated its straightforward nature – simply people coming together to play a game they all enjoy, and the (surprisingly) high prevalence of chess as a pastime at Magnet is always fun to see! When it comes to the game itself, although I might not be quite as competitive at it as I once was, I still enjoy the unique feeling of mapping different possibilities and following their outcomes. The problems start when I miss one…”

Lincoln Boucher: “Throughout my life, chess has helped me in many ways, through school, my analytical abilities, and even winning me monetary prizes. Chess Club has helped me expand on my knowledge of chess while also being a fun place to relax and teach others the game.”

Chess Club is open to everyone, whether you are a novice, an intermediate player, or a top-level player. Everyone starts somewhere. Many people often have the preconceived notion that if they’re not “good” at chess, then they can’t play. Nevertheless though, like all interests one wishes to pursue, chess requires patience, perseverance, and practice.

The Club provides students with a place to unwind and talk to friends while engaging in a game of wits. The club creates a safe haven for all Magnet students to exercise their critical thinking and intellectual skills without the pressure of academics weighing on their shoulders. Chess creates an outlet for the mind to exercise and entertain itself within a complex puzzle full of endless openings, lines, and checkmates. It’s a game that allows you to practice excogitation 

while also creating a form of engrossing escapism for the player.

Overall, Magnet’s Chess Club is a great community to join if you’re looking for a place to relax, socialize, and detach yourself from the fast-paced and often stressful life of an AMHS student. The club is hosted in Mr. Garris’ classroom (Room #7205) on Tuesday lunches, creating the perfect atmosphere for ingenuity and friendly conversations to flourish. So, if you’re looking for a new and exhilarating way to captivate your mind, consider joining the Academic Magnet Chess Club.

If you have any questions or wish to learn more about Chess Club please contact Lincoln Boucher (co-leader) at: boulin7716@ccsdschools.com