Story by Jeremy Hamm Photography by Marcia Lane
One of the beauties of chess is that everyone can play it – young and old, rich and poor, people of all cultures. Its appeal and fascination is universal. “Chess is a sea in which an elephant can bathe and a gnat may sip” goes an old Indian proverb.
In Burngreave, though chess might not quite have the profile of some other sports and activities, it is widely played – and, as we’ll see in future articles, it goes back quite a long way in the area.
Over the next few issues of the Messenger, I’ll be commenting on some local chess developments, as well as offering up some brainteasers and maybe even some games.
Email your answers to chess@burngreavemessenger.org
I will be publishing similar puzzles in the next two issues of the Messenger: the first four correct entries to come in will each receive a £5 WH Smith voucher.
I’ll explain more about describing moves (notation) but for now,
give the first letter in capitals of the piece moved (eg K for King)
followed by the square to which it moves, which is given by a letter and then number
(eg if you think the first move of the solution is to move the Black rook to the square b8, it would be Rb8).
Local young people get a chess lesson
Libraries have a reputation of a place of hushed tones and whispers so as not to disturb readers. The concentration during last half term was not only on the printed page but also the chess board.
Local chess player Jeremy Hamm went in to the library and got young people into the game.
Abel, aged 10, said,
“I enjoyed the chess club because you had a chance to interact with others. Jeremy helped me understand more about chess. I think there should be another chess club in this library because it is fun and educational.”