Queen's knight to Longmont Library, chess night is on

Tuesday night, Bob Podell drove to the Longmont Library from Platteville to find an opponent for a friendly game of chess. Last week he lost three games in a row to a great player, Podell said. This week Podell won four games against his only opponent, though he said it wasn’t about winning. 

“It’s a fun game, no game is the same so it makes you think,” Podell said. “Playing chess is relaxing for me.”

Podell’s wife found the announcement online looking for a local chess club, he said. They play online but it doesn’t have the same feeling. Playing online, Podell has no idea the skill level of who he’s matched with, while in person even if he loses he can maybe make a new friend.

Every Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m., Josie Brockman and her fellow librarians set aside tables for Open Chess Night, open to players of all ages and skill levels. The atmosphere is casual, quiet and welcoming with players like Podell and Longmont chess teacher Samuel Rosen more than willing to go a few rounds and share pointers.

“It’s like the greatest video game ever made,” Rosen said. “You’re a student of chess your whole life. Even if you’re a grandmaster, you’re still learning.”

Rosen teaches chess in the local after school programs Strategic Kids and ChessWizards, he explained. The intensity and challenge holds the greatest appeal for him, Rosen said, calling it a “noble pursuit.”

Tuesday night saw players from elementary school to adult sit down at tables to learn and share in the quiet contemplation of a match. Rosen and other players were more than happy to teach chess to novices, he said, inviting onlookers to games, offering pointers and explanations of the strategies and theories of one of the oldest games in the world.

Jessica and Nathan Emerson brought their son Ocean to chess night two weeks in a row. Ocean Emerson, aged 9, plays with his dad, Nathan, regularly ― Jessica Emerson said she plays to be a good sport with her son, even if he beats her most of the time. Ocean Emerson, who mostly plays online, said he liked the strategy of the game.

“I think it’s an interesting game. (I like) the goal of the game, trapping pieces and paying attention to position,” he said.

Brockman said the chess night came about after more than a few requests for space to play. The children’s library used to host regular lessons and tournaments before COVID-19, she explained, but Brockman and her staff wanted something more casual and approachable. Chess Night will continue as long as people are interested, Brockman said.