Wanting to share his passion with other students, sophomore Pradhyun Nandikonda decided to start chess club. He said he is currently trying to make meetings more often and consistently.

“Ever since I was a kid, I always had a love for chess,” Nandikonda said. “My dad presented the idea to start a club, and so I got it into motion and started the club.”

Nandikonda has played chess for 11 years. He said his parents inspired him and taught him what he knows now. 

“[The]
hardest part about playing chess is staying consistent and keeping playing even if you’re not playing well,” Nandikonda said. 

Nandikonda said he has goals of winning a trophy at a chess tournament. He said he watches the members’ games during meetings to give them tips and tricks.

“[The club] helped me get an insight on what I was missing with some opinions of other players that I normally wasn’t able to get before the chess club,” Nandikonda said.

Sophomore Michael Rogness said he appreciates Nandikonda. Rogness has been playing chess since he was in middle school and said he enjoys the entertainment he can get from chess.

“I feel like [the board is] more personal because you get to see the person,” Rogness said. “Other than that, there’s not a whole ton different [from online].”

During meetings, the members will set up seven boards, then get started on the games. Members get to play two to three games per meeting. Members can challenge others whom they want to play. Rogness said he enjoys the meetings because he is able to spend more time with friends while doing something they enjoy.

“[The biggest challenge is] just making sure that you don’t slip up,” Rogness said. “A lot of little mistakes can add up to a pretty easy loss.”

 Nandiakonda said he is able to make practice possible with the help of sponsor Emilie Blanck. Blanck has never played chess before, though said she is excited to help a group of students be involved in things other than school.

“[The club members] really get into [the games] on wanting it to be as realistic as possible,” Blanck said. “Like with the timer that people use with chess.”

Blanck enjoys the passion that all the members come to meetings with. Blanck said there is a range of grades in the club and said the club members are always excited to play chess at the meetings. Blanck appreciates how proactive Nandikonda is, she said he is very eager to get the message of chess club out. 

“It’s a group of students who really enjoy playing chess,” Blanck said. “They want to improve and find people to play with.”