The St. Olaf Social Chess Club meets every Tuesday, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m . You can find them in the Munch Room in Buntrock Commons, playing with their hand-me-down boards and pieces. They welcome all experience levels, whether you are playing for the first time or are a 1600-rated semi-professional. Vice President Jacob Moore ’27 sees the club as a learning opportunity — if you have never played before and want to learn, this is the perfect place for you.
The club is small yet mighty. They missed attending the co-curricular fair this fall and are hoping to attract new chess enthusiasts. On arrival, it may seem a bit sparse in players, but this doesn’t bother the executive board of the club. Experiencing the joy of chess is worth more to the club than being popular. Even when the halls of Buntrock are bustling with the mid-evening dinner rush, the Chess Club is peacefully awaiting its next move.
On Friday, Nov. 15, the Chess Club has its annual “Chess Boxing” match. Almost every year, the Chess Club and Boxing Club reunite to battle it out in the Lion’s Pause, taking turns from playing chess to putting on their fighting gloves. This exciting show brings in crowds of all backgrounds — some from the Chess Club, some from the Boxing Club, and some just interested in the chaos. The Chess Club is looking for new players. If you or someone you know is interested, you can reach out to the president, John Rasmussen ’27, or show up at the Munch room on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
