Game of kings

Some might equate chess as an intellectual’s game. Visions of Bobby Fisher, quietly assessing his opponent’s moves in an extremely serious state may come to mind.

Those stereotypes are blown away walking into the meeting room of the Culpeper County Library for a meeting of the Culpeper Chess Club.

Children ranging in ages 6-17 roam among tables, a raucous level of chatter emanating from the room.

In one corner, advanced players Alanna Burkett and Justin Torres face off in the first round of the annual tournament. Torres eventually came out the champion, but his game against Burkett was competitive — like most games going on between advanced, intermediate and beginning players.

“I play chess for enjoyment and it helps improve your brain,” Justin Torres, whose dad Luis helps officiate the scene, said.

Justin Torres, 15, spreads his love of the game by teaching chess at Champions of Christ home school, a class he began this school year. An ardent student of the game, Torres keeps notes as he makes his moves, studying the board but all the while engaging in banter with Burkett.

“Who’s the best player,” Burkett is asked.

“It’s OK, you can say him,” Torres says, motioning to Daniel Grotz who is embroiled in a battle with his younger brother Phillip.

“It depends on the day,” Burkett admits, “but it’s one of those two,” she says motioning toward the elder Grotz and Torres.

Burkett, who has been playing five years, loves the social aspect of the game.

“All of my brothers played it and my dad plays it and it was just one of those things that we always had a board in the house,” Burkett said. “A long time ago, for my birthday, I got this Harry Potter chess set, which was the greatest. The pieces were so big and the board was so small, my dad couldn’t see the squares so I actually beat him occasionally.”

While Torres admits to reading up on the sport, Burkett takes a more natural approach. She studies her opponents’ strategies and then tries to learn their tendencies.

Over at the beginner’s table, the action is a little more fast-paced. In the championship game between Matthew Borja and Wilkie Cook, pieces fly off the board quickly as the two furiously slap the timer.

Borja, the eventual beginner champion, recently joined the club and his preconceived notions about chess were quickly scattered.

“I talk almost every time I’m in a game, its kind of hard not to talk,” Borja said. “It’s definitely different. Before I joined chess club I had a totally different outlook on this.”

Even while winning, Borja said that he simply enjoys the camaraderie.

“It’s just a lot of fun that you’re playing with a whole bunch of people that enjoy the same thing as you,” Matt Borja said.

It’s what keeps bringing Chris Calhoun back. Once a member of the club in his teens, Calhoun now serves as an official and advisor, helping keep the games running smoothly.

“I enjoy playing chess,” Calhoun said. “It’s a fun sport and it’s always different. It’s fun being with the kids sometimes, just hanging out. It’s fun to learn different strategies, but also to teach different strategies.”

Beside him, Luis Torres nods in agreement. Torres, the father of Justin, became involved a few years ago and is now one of president and originator John Bossong’s “right-hand” men.

“I do really like chess and I like being around kids and Mr. B is a terrific role model,” Luis Torres said.

While the social aspect is important, Luis Torres points out the amount of brain activity the game encourages.

“It’s encouraging them to use something that seems to have been forgotten, and that’s the ability to focus,” Luis Torres said. “The ability to concentrate on one thing. They’re extremely social. Sometimes we really have to raise our voice to get their attention.”

Keeping the games competitive also helps keep their attention. Bossong uses a “ladder method,” allowing players to challenge opponents four or five rungs up on a ladder. If there’s an upset, the winning player moves up to the new position.

“They generally have a good time,” Bossong said.