NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Even before the start of the school year, some Columbus Elementary School students were exercising their brains.
Members of the Columbus Chess Club met Aug. 27 for their annual chess club barbecue and “simul” party. A simultaneous, or simul, is a board game in which a player of higher rank plays multiple games concurrently with several players.
The high ranking player at the Columbus barbecue was FIDE International Master Georgios Alexopoulos, who played the students at the chess simul. The children, current Columbus students and some alumni, had a fun-filled afternoon enjoying hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza and, of course, chess.
“The kids had a great time honing their skills and meeting each other,” said Mark Hegenauer, a teacher who leads the chess club. “We are looking forward to having another exciting chess-filled school year.”
The club has been in existence for 19 years and attracts 40 to 45 members who gather to practice three to four times a week during the school year. They typically participate in five annual tournaments. Last year, they traveled to a national competition in Nashville, and placed very well, said Hegenauer. This year they hope to do even better, he said.