Primary School students across Armidale are embracing the game of chess. However, Geert Geesink believes it’s about time the Armidale community had a chess club of its own.
When Geert arrived in Armidale five years ago, he was surprised to find that there was no active chess club. Resigned to that fact, he played chess online or occasionally with friends.
“Recently I was involved in a regional primary school competition and was amazed to learn that there are about 100 primary school chess players in the region,” said Geert.
“This must mean that there are also a fair number of teenagers and adults that have an interest in chess.”
Geert, along with some friends who share his passion for chess, is intending to start a chess club in Armidale.
Armidale resident and avid chess player Mike Canfell remembers when there was a chess club.
“There used to be a chess club running until sometime in the ’90s, which had about 15 members.
“The present situation is that there is chess in the primary schools and secondary schools, there is a U3A group but there is nothing in between,” said Mr Canfell.
“So an open chess club for people of all ages who can meet regularly and play is what we are hoping to achieve.”
At this stage the chess club can only accommodate people over the age of 12. This Friday, October 28, at the Baptist Church on the Corner of Rusden and Jessie Streets, next to the RTA, interested people can come along at 7pm and meet fellow chess players to see if there is enough interest in forming a club. For further information, email Geert Geesink at geert.geesink@une.edu.au
Story: Jo Harrison
