It may not have the flash of video games or social media, but chess remains a popular Upper Cumberland pastime, thanks in part to technology.
The Cumberland County Chess Club will be hosting a chess tournament Saturday. Cumberland County Chess Club President William Flynn said the popularity of chess is growing in the Upper Cumberland and is more popular worldwide now than ever before due to online chess. Flynn said the lack of barriers is what makes the 1,500-year-old strategy game so intriguing to today’s world.
“It doesn’t matter where you are from, if you speak the same language, what culture of your background is, everyone can sit down and play a game of chess,” Flynn said. “The rules are fairly simple, so everyone has access to it, you know, it doesn’t cost anything to sit down and play like you might in some sports. You don’t need a team, you don’t need a bunch of equipment. Anyone can have access to a game, and anyone can play it.”
Flynn said many people think of traditional chess as a slow game where players take the time to make calculated moves. Flynn said formats like Quick and Blitz place short time limits on games and require players to make quick decisions.
“Quick you would have 10 minutes to play your game for this tournament this weekend, and then Blitz, you only have three minutes,” Flynn said. “So it’s a lot speedier, and these faster time controls, I think, are attracting a wider range of people too. People don’t want to sit there for hours and hours and play a single game when they can sit down and play dozens of games in that same amount of time. A little bit more fun, a little bit less stressful.”
Many people believe that chess is a game for smart people. Flynn said that is a misconception.
“I don’t know if I consider myself smart, maybe not even a good player, but I certainly love the game,” Flynn said. “As long as someone is passionate about the game, then they can become a good player. You don’t have to have good grades or be super successful in any endeavor, but as long as you enjoy the game and you have some kind of passion for it, I think you’re able to excel in chess.”
Flynn said the Cumberland County Chess Club is starting to host more tournaments, and the prize pools are getting bigger. Flynn said Crossville will also host the $10,000 state tournament this September.
Flynn said Saturday’s tournament is one of three events that are part of the Tennessee Summer Speed Series. Flynn said chess lovers who may be new to the area are welcome to participate in the club as the club meets at the RE/MAX Finest Office in Crossville every Thursday at 6pm.