Ocean Grove Chess Club started back in October 2007 when it was founded by local Malcolm Hughes, the uncle of former Test cricketer Merv Hughes.
Local chess enthusiasts meet at the Ocean Grove Citizens Club, a place that supplies them the opportunity to get together, play, learn and share their love of chess.
The chess club is not only fun, but it’s also improving the skills of its members.
Despite COVID-19, it has been running successfully ever since.
Here are some of the thoughts of club members:
“It’s a very inclusive, all-ages, welcoming group,” says Stan Rusiniak, one of the club’s organisers.
“You never know who you’re going to run into, particularly during the summer and school holidays.”
“It is relatively easy to learn the basics, like how the pieces move,” says Tom Nicholson, one of the club’s top players, who along with Stan is also a member of the local Ocean Grove Chord Club.
“I’ve always found that it was a really nice way to meet people in the neighbourhood,” long time club member John Griffiths says.
“It’s not just about chess, it’s really about community. There’s a kind of a mechanism to making instant friends —and a lot of them— because you’re playing so many different games, as no chess game is ever the same.”
“My favourite part about the chess club has got to be meeting new people, and learning new chess openings is a valuable experience,” says Ocean Grove local John Corlett.
“Competing against others who are better than me drives me to improve at chess and become a better player.”
Another member and top chess player, Nick McClaren says: “I really enjoy playing chess, I really like being a part of the chess club and playing competitive games and chess is a really good way for me to do that.”
“We do play chess, and we also discuss tactics and analyse the games we played but most importantly: we have an enjoyable time,” club adviser Gary Bennewitz says.
“If you are interested in learning or playing the great game that we all love so much, why not contact us?” says club member Renato Partenza.
“If you prefer playing chess in the evening why not let us know and tell us what time and day would best suit you.”
The local chess club meets every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 5pm at Ocean Grove Senior Citizens Club, 101 The Terrace, Ocean Grove.
More information phone 5255 2996 or go to thebellarine.wixsite.com/ocean-grove-chess
