The Wilkes County Chess Club meets every Thursday evening at the Wilkes Public Library in the genealogy room from 5:00-7:30. There is no cost associated to attend and we strongly encourage beginners and anyone wanting to learn to join us. There are several members who provide coaching during club meetings at no charge. Get DIRECTIONS

Experienced players seeking a challenge will not be dissapointed as the club draws from 2 to 4 United States Chess Federation A-Class players every meeting. Every other week you have the option of playing a USCF rated game. February 4th will be the next date for rated games. Time controls are mutually agreed upon by both players. Game 80 is the longest time control unless both players agree to arrive earlier. Remember the library closes at 8:00 and me must leave at 7:45, no exceptions.

This Week at the Club

February 20th Denver Owens will be directing a USCF rated 3 round tournament at the Carroll County Library in Hillsville VA. Entry is $25.00 with the 1st round starting at 10:00. Call (276) 733-4040 for more info

Jan 28th the club had a great turnout of 19 players! Arch rivals Bobby Waddell and Chad Eller switched colors and transposed into the same Moroczy Bind from the previous week. Same story, white gets the advantage, severe time trouble ensues and peace is made with a draw. A great evening of chess was followed by pizza at Amalfis.

A big congratulations to Julian Billings! Julian has won 5 out of 6 games in his last two Ashboro Opens in the Club section, winning outright 1st at the last one. He also upset a 1458 in Hillsville VA recently. Julian is currently 1295 provisional and quickly on his way up.

On Thursday January 21st Chad Eller 1801 and Bobby Waddell 1942 played an exciting rated game to a draw. Chad had 13 seconds left on his clock when Bobby offered the draw which he immediatly accepted despite winning chances and a 5 second delay.

On Thursday January 7th the Wilkes Chess Club held it's first USCF rated games with Denver Owens acting as TD.
Will Campbell 1900 vs. Bobby Waddell 1941 1/2
Denver Owens 1397 vs. Melvin Morrison 1077 1-0
John Owens 1000 vs. Sam McLure UNR 0-1
Ronnie Bumgarner UNR vs. Chris Shepherd UNR 2-0

The Wilkes Chess Club player with the most NC Grand Prix points in 2010 will receive a $50.00 gift certificate from ChessCentral.com. To find out more about the NC Chess Association Grand Prix click here.