Chess club, lessons to start in Enterprise

Published 4:00 pm Tuesday, December 27, 2011

A new chess club is starting in Enterprise at the Wallowa County Community Center (Community Connection), 702 NW 1st St. in Enterprise. The first meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 5, at 3:30 p.m. The club will meet every Thursday from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The times are scheduled so that players from the local schools may attend for both the classes and for playing chess.

Although there are many chess players here, this will be the first public chess club in this region. Players of all levels are welcome, and there will be chess classes from 4 to 4:30 p.m. for beginners of all ages. For more information, contact Clem Falbo by phone at 541-432-6309 or by email at clemfalbo@gmail.com.

Falbo, who lives in Joseph, is a rated chess player and a member of the U. S. Chess Federation (USCF). He directed several chess tournaments in California before retiring here. He plans to hold an unrated tournament in Enterprise in May 2012 and then hold USCF-rated tournaments annually after that. Currently the nearest chess tournament is in Spokane, Wash.

“We need a chess club in this region and I know that players will be coming out of the woodwork to play in this club,” Falbo says. “Chess is a game for all ages, for older people like me and very young children. The Fishtrap Big Read book this year is Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club’ and one of the stories in that book is about a 9-year-old girl, Waverly Jong, who became a very high-rated chess player. Chess is a wonderful game for developing clear, logical thinking, competitive spirit and good sportsmanship. “

Parents and their children are welcome to come and learn together. Children under the age of 12 should be accompanied by an adult.