Every Tuesday room 231 puts aside philosophy, world studies and the inner workings of government bureaucracy and instead fittingly settles down to game believed to be over 2000 years old—chess, the game of kings.

Chess club is the senior project selection of Jake Bailey, Woodland senior and fan of logic.

“You know I kind of see myself as more of a logic person,” says Bailey.  “And you know chess is a game of logic, you know—strategy.  And I figured Woodland didn’t have [a chess club] and what would be a good senior project, you know, make a chess club.”

For four weeks, Bailey and his club have welcomed any and all prospective  chess players regardless of playing ability.  Some, like Tyler DellaValle, are just starting out.

“We have a chess board at our house, so one day I got bored and I just decided to look [chess] up.  Then I played a few games with my uncle when he was over,” says DellaValle. “That’s been my only exposure ever playing chess.”

Other players come because they appreciate the reserved competitiveness that the club offers.  Kent Gerber, founding member, likes the atmosphere and rivalry.

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“Me and my family we don’t really play that much because we are all pretty competitive and so it usually ends up in shouting and yelling,” says Gerber.  “It’s nice to come to somewhere like chess club where everyone is much calmer.”

Giving students a chance to pick up the game of chess was first and foremost on chess club advisor, Chris Tomlin’s mind.  And he is glad to play again himself.

“I used to be a lot better.  It’s been a long time since I played chess.  One of the nice things was the ability to actually play chess again.

And in this calm setting, pawns are traded, queens are sacrificed and kings are toppled.  Yet amid all that quiet carnage, Bailey has high hopes for his senior project.

“For now everybody just comes to play.  It’s just fun, recreational matches,” says Bailey.  “But further down the road we’ll probably look into doing ranked matches, and maybe even a tournament.”