Students find their checkmate

March 23, 2009 by Gregan Wingert 

Chess tournament highlights the best of UNLV

It’s silent. Concentration hangs heavy in the air. He makes his move. Checkmate.

Jacob Bard, freshman computer engineering major, took home the gold during Saturday’s chess tournament hosted by the UNLV Chess Club.

While setting up the pieces in Student Room 211, Bard said he doesn’t aspire to go pro, but his fellow club members regard him as such.

“Nobody can beat [Bard], he’s the best,” tournament organizer and graduate engineering major Mehmet James Bayburt said. “He’s the champion.”

Bard was humble about his chess exploits.

“It’s like a hobby,” Bard said. “I have a talent and I want to play.”

Playing six rounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. participants battled using the Swiss match-up system that pairs players against players who hold the same number of wins.

Bayburt came in second and Sean Crozier came in third.

“During a blitz match you really can’t think about it,” club President Austin McDonald said.

The regular rounds don’t go over 20 minutes but during a blitz round players only have three minutes.

Though Bard won the tournament he only placed second in the Blitz match. Crozier took the win and Bayburt placed third.

As for McDonald, he didn’t place this tournament, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

“Mostly I just try to keep the club running,” he said.

McDonald explained participants do not have to be among the 16 official members of the chess club to play and have fun.

“It’s free and open to anyone,” McDonald said.

Even though 12 people signed up for the tournament only seven showed.

Bayburt was hopeful for a bigger turnout to increase membership of the club.

“I tried to make it more attractive for people,” Bayburt said. “I would be more happy if more people joined.”

McDonald also commented on the difficulty of being a small organization. “We tried to spread the word but it’s hard.”

“People say they’re not smart enough,” McDonald said. Or students say, [they] don’t have time to play games, I have to finish my business degree.”

“Which is awful, they’re missing out on the whole college experience,” McDonald said.

McDonald said the game of chess could be both fun and social.

“My dad always played with me,” McDonald said. “Now I can beat him.”

Joining the club will not only give your brain a workout explained McDonald, you’ll also make friends.

McDonald, a biology major, met his girlfriend and fellow club member Karen Levy playing chess.

“Our whole dating experience revolves around chess,” Levy said.

Levy, a senior double majoring in biology and chemistry, said that because her lab was adjacent to McDonald’s they’d often play chess after a day in the lab.

Levy joined the club and “started going [because] it was a lot of fun.”

As for who wins in a match Levy said, “He usually beats me.”

But no matter what skill level, Chess Club welcomes anyone who wants to play.

“It’ll bring people together who wouldn’t normally have a chance to meet,” Levy said.

It doesn’t matter if the student interested in chess is a pro, beginner or just someone looking to improve.

“We have some very good players and some very good teachers,” McDonald said.

Chess Club meets twice a week on Wednesdays at noon on the first floor of the SU and on Saturdays in the second floor meeting rooms from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

It’s free and there’s always food at the Saturday meetings.

 

ON THE WEB:

UNLV Chess Club: www.unlvchess.org