Chess Club members love the intellectual appeal of chess, and it seems that the appeal only gets stonger when money is thrown into the pot.
From Nov. 20 to Dec. 13, 24 students competed in a chess tournament sponsored by the Chess Club.
"There were a lot of people that showed up just because of the money," said Chess Club president Max Otis. "It makes the players play more cunning and some of the games went on for three days."
"They seemed to enjoy themselves," said club adviser Jo Shay. "It was a real competition for a real prize."
Shay was the person in charge of the tournament, with Otis helping her with the tournament.
"We did it (the tournament) to spark people's interests in the game of chess," said Otis. "We would like more people to try (chess) and join (the club)."
In the advanced category, senior Daniel Nelson competed against junior Tim Witherspoon. By the end of the game, Nelson received a $25 prize.
In the beginner category, senior Rich Dabel competed against sophomore Russell Gilham and received the $15 prize for first place.
All of the money used for prizes in the tournament was donated by the club fund.
"In the final game that decided the winner in the advanced category, between Daniel Nelson and Tim Witherspoon, they didn't have time to finish the game so they wrote down where all of the pieces were," said Otis. "That night Dan took the map home and accidentally washed it so the next day they started the game all over again."
"The next time we should have more than one elimination," said Nelson. "We didn't play enough games."
The final match of the chess tournament between Dabel and Gilham ended during sixth period on Dec. 12 when Dabel put Gilham's king in checkmate.
"I strategically set up my men to take his queen, so I could get his king in check," said Dabel.
"I tried not to mess up," said Nelson. "I was basically getting all my pieces into the game and I tried not to forget where they were or what they were doing."
Shay says chess is a game of strategy and intellect and Otis agrees, saying: "It (chess) strengthens your mind. It teaches you that there is more than one route to go through in life."