With COVID shutting down the chess club last year before tournaments started the club is wanting to start tournaments as soon as possible this year.

With technology advancing, so too is chess. With COVID shutting them down last year Mr. Hubbard wants his kids in the club to compete, so they are moving the tournaments to online. In fact the biggest chess tournament in the world has been conducted online for a few years now.  

“I have been playing chess for about two and a half years” senior Holton said. 

Why did you start playing chess?  

How long have you been doing the chess club here at smithson valley? 

“This is my second year. We started last year a little bit into the year.” This year, we tried to get it going but it was very difficult because of COVID and everything.” Mr.Hubbard said.  

How long have you been playing chess?

“Since I was a kid. I’m not very good.I learned it from my father actually when I was 10 but I’m still not a chess expert at all, but I was  asked if I would sponsor the group and I said  sure.” Mr.Hubbard said.

Do you guys do tournaments outside of school? 

“We do tournaments throughout the district, but due to COVID they got cancelled last year. This year we are still in limbo if we are going to have tournaments, and we have talked about trying to do some virtual type stuff. we will see where that goes,” Mr.Hubbard said.

Is it all year long?

“Yes it is all year,but the tournaments for the district are more spring time.” Mr.Hubbard said. 

“They started teaching it in class and I started having a drive for competition against my friends in the class, and that’s where it first started,” Holten said. 

“I have played in many tournaments, I have been awarded eight trophies so far for solo, but I have lost count of how many tournaments I have gone to,” Holten said.

Was there one moment that really stuck out to you, maybe it was your first tournament that made you realize i really love playing and competing in chess? 

“I would say my first tournament I ever went to because even though I got 10th place it was probably the biggest i have went to.There were200 people from other areas competing.’’ Holten said.