Lenoir Chess Club invites players of all ages

Jul. 20—LENOIR — Each Tuesday evening, the Lenoir Chess Club meets at St. James Episcopal church in downtown Lenoir to engage in a friendly competitive games of chess and to refine their skills.

As opponents sat across from each other and studied the chessboard and considered their strategic moves on Tuesday (July 19), moments of silence and stillness were intermittently broken by casual conversations about game strategy and life.

Linda LaRose faced off against Leo Martin.

"He's setting me up for something," said LaRose, as she studied the chessboard and her opponent.

LaRose intently examined the board for possible moves against Martin.

"How many moves do you think it will take to beat me?" asked LaRose.

Larose was Martin's first opponent during Tuesday's games.

At 13 years old, Martin is a tough competitor and puts his opponent on the defense before the game starts. He says he already knows the move he is going to make before his opponent reaches for a piece.

Across the room at a separate table sat players Maggie Martin and Liza Plaster.

Martin is the organizer of the Lenoir Chess Club.

Plaster is well known in the community. She once owned and operated the Ripshin Goat Dairy and served as a board member with the Patterson School Foundation.

"You have to lose to learn," said Plaster, talking about failure being an important aspect of the game and added that each loss provides a valuable lesson.

To the far end of the same table sat Cliff and wife Marty Anderson engaged in a game. The Andersons came to enjoy the friendly games at the invitation of their neighbor and family friend, Linda LaRose.

Marty Anderson said that she learned from the philosophy of Norm Thabit that chess can answer many of life's questions.

After a few games, the players switched opponents, and Leo Martin was positioned against Cliff Anderson.

"He's a very good player, very good," said Anderson. "He's making me squirm," he added, just before Martin took his rook.

Martin didn't look away from the board.

"I like to develop my pieces, so I can get my rooks out," said Martin.

A few chairs away, Eris Allen faced a formidable player. Allen said he has been playing chess for nearly 40 years.

"I borrowed a book from the library on chess, and I fell in love with it ever since," said Allen.

Allen had already put his opponent on the defense.

"This is why I love chess — it's a battle of ideas," said Allen, as his opponent contemplated his next move.

Allen claimed a three game win.

The Lenoir Chess Club is made possible by the coordinated efforts of Maggie Martin and Norm Thabit's willingness to instruct anyone desiring and willing to learn how to play chess.

Thabit offers lessons and instructions to the class, continuing his father's legacy of the enjoyment in the the game. His father taught him how to play chess at an early age, giving him a lasting gift that he has been able to share with others.

"My dad taught me to play when I was 5 years old in 1957. He passed away unexpectedly when I was 7 in January of 1969," said Thabit.

Thabit said that playing chess can teach virtues and life values including consequences to actions, awareness, the need for continual self improvement, self discipline, perseverance, and the ability to think.

In chess, one's opponent watches the other's every move, which requires the player to be aware and watch the whole board, so they can see the big picture and make intentional efforts to achieve a win. Thabit said that unlike other games, chess is not a game of chance.

Playing chess also pushes one to make self-improvements. Chess players have an awareness that no matter how strong of a player they are, there is always someone just a little bit better. Expert chess players know the value of self-discipline and how restraint can help avoid mistakes that can cost them a game.

Developing chess skills also reinforces the importance of perseverance and not giving up at any stage in the game.

"I would just love to see more people come. It's a great game that teaches discipline. It teaches you to stop and think and that there are consequences to a move," said LaRose.

For LaRose, the game is also about building relationships.

"There is a certain gentility in the game — in the end you shake the hand of your opponent. There's a camaraderie," said LaRose, talking about feeling grateful to God for being able to be part of the group.

The Lenoir Chess Club meets at St. James Episcopal Church, located at 806 College Ave. in downtown Lenoir, on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join. Game sets are provided; however, guests may bring their own unbreakable sets. Games are not timed, but do follow all United States Chess Federation (USCF) rules of play.

Thabit will offer chess lessons through the Lenoir Chess Club to those who are interested, but a minimum of six participants is needed to hold the class. Through six one-hour-long lessons, Thabit teaches players what they need to know, in the order they need to know it.

Those interested in participating with the Lenoir Chess Club may contact Maggie Martin at martinmaggie727@gmail.com to reserve a spot.