About four years ago, Woodgrove alumni Joey Harar and Jonah Jimeno came to English and history teacher Mr. Derek Hughes with a proposal: starting a chess club. Successful in their endeavors, the club still meets on both blue and green club days in room L212, sponsored by Hughes.
Hughes, who has been playing the game of chess since he was a child, believes that the game “teaches strategic and critical thinking skills.” Often displaying prompts at the beginning of each club meeting that can put any given disadvantage, he creates the opportunity for players to adapt and problem solve, both of which he believes are beneficial things to learn. Hughes shared how he is able to see those skills grow in the students who are in the club, saying, “This can even translate into life skills, like when you get into a tough and unfamiliar situation you can stay calm and figure out a way to fix it.”
A member since his freshman year, junior Kent Tagge explained how flexible the club is, sharing, “It’s open to anyone. If you don’t know [how to play] and you want to learn, just come over. It’s extremely beginner friendly, and it’s not that competitive…It’s fun to learn. It’s fun to play even if you’re super experienced. I play against some people who are a lot better than me. Although I don’t win, it’s still a lot of fun because I do spend time playing.” More experienced club members are sometimes able to teach newer members how to play, as well as give them advice along the way.
Since Jimeno and Harar have graduated, the club has maintained a loose leadership system. Hughes made the decision to keep the club open on both blue and green days, giving students the opportunity to play chess even if they are involved in other clubs on either day. This has resulted in different groups of students helping Hughes manage the club on blue and green days. Tagge, a leader, described the roles of the appointed members, sharing, “It’s pretty ambiguous. We just help Mr. Hughes set things up, clean things up, and if he needs anything, we’re just there to help.” The rotational system gives multiple students the chance to improve on their leadership skills while still leaving a majority of the period to actually play the game.
Another leadership member, junior Dylan Indiviglio also plays chess outside of the club. Despite already having experience, he has seen himself and others improve through the club. “It helps players grow their skills by giving them more experience and access to people who can teach them more,” Indiviglio commented. Tagge described a similar experience, sharing, “Before, I wasn’t the best at chess. I played it for fun, but I wasn’t actually that good. Since I’ve joined the chess club, I’ve vastly improved, and now it’s something that I will do if I have free time.” Now, Tagge plays chess online and with his brother during their free time.
Hughes has also noticed developments in many of the players that have joined the club. “I enjoy the game, but I also enjoy and like how I get to watch other kids grow, get better as players, and find a love for the game of chess,” Hughes expressed. Furthermore, Hughes has also enjoyed witnessing the growth of the students as people, not just as players. Hughes continued, “It’s a nice, diverse bunch of kids that I would never expect would want to play chess, and they do. They’re developing love for the game. They hang out with kids they don’t normally hang out with. It broadens their social network.” Tagge agreed with Hughes’ statement, smiling, “I have made some good friends from the chess club…It’s a great time to just relax, spend time with friends, chill, and play.”
“It’s enjoyable to watch and find something [students] like, and you see them happy, and it makes you happy to see them grow and approach them in a deep meaning, not superficial,” added Hughes. To its members, Woodgrove’s Chess Club is very special, and is more than just chess. It is a place where they can go to enjoy themselves and an opportunity to play a beloved game.