The SCHS Chess Club was founded in 2022, when a group of students, along with teacher Patrick Gebhard, conjured the idea of creating a chess club where they could work on their skills and amuse themselves.
“I pushed Gebhard to form the chess club. I though it would be a fun after school activity,” senior Donovin Palmer stated.
Gebhard agrees with Palmer’s statement.
“The kids knew that I played a little bit and my kids played a little bit, so we started the chess club,” Gebhard said.
The chess club participated in their first competition on Nov. 29 at Christian Brothers College High School. With it being their first time ever competing, the chess club had a very successful outcome, they won 3-2.
“I’m glad we won our first chess match, it was very exciting,” Palmer said.
Club member senior Lincoln Moseley agrees with Palmer.
“I didn’t personally win my game, but it was fun that we won overall,” Moseley said.
The chess club members feel like they’re operating more like a team rather than just a club.
“We definitely feel more like a team when we’re competing, but when we practice it just feels like a club. It’s very nice,” freshman member Myra Soles said.
Moseley concurs with Soles.
“Our dynamic is still very club-like, but at times it feels like we’re all a team,” Moseley said.
The chess club is scheduled for seven more competitions throughout the school year. Gebhard is very proud of the chess club for working hard and being able to compete.
“I’m just glad they’re having fun while competing. I don’t care how many [competitions] we win as long as they have fun,” Gebhard said.
