Missouri State University’s Chess Club opened its 2025-26 season with an informal competition on Sept. 3 in Strong Hall’s atrium.
Over 20 students attended the event, which featured a blitz chess competition.
Interested players first participated in a casual, meet-and-greet session that emphasized non-competitive play. The club set up chess boards at several individual tables in the atrium, allowing players to chat while they played and enjoyed free pizza.
Afterward, the club held an informal blitz chess competition. Blitz chess is a playing format during which each game lasts three to five minutes.
Chess Club will host two more events during the fall semester: Oct. 1 and Nov. 5. Both events are from 3-5 p.m. in the Strong Hall atrium.
Chess Club is for everyone
Two faculty members of the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH), Jay Howard and Nick Beatty, serve as Chess Club advisors. Howard is a senior instructor in the Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film. Beatty is an instructor in the Department of Political Science and Philosophy.
Even though it is advised by RCASH faculty, Howard emphasized that Chess Club is open to everyone, regardless of their playing level, their major or their status at the university.
“There are several faculty members who play as well as students, both undergraduate and graduate,” Howard said. “We’ve got community members here who aren’t students or faculty. So, it’s open to everyone.”
As a geology major, senior Connor Burns reflects Chess Club’s broader outreach at Missouri State. He has been with Chess Club since his sophomore year.
“It’s just fun,” Burns said. “I don’t have a lot of free time, but getting to come around here and play chess with people over the board is a lot better than being a recluse somewhere and playing it online.”
Junior psychology major Grant Howison also reflects Chess Club’s mission to be open to all. Like Burns, he has been part of Chess Club since his sophomore year and attends every meeting.
“I think it’s a lot of fun,” Howison said.
Meanwhile, freshman theatre and dance major Julie Kate Moylan is not a member of Chess Club. She joined the event, however, simply because she likes chess. For her, the game is “a great way to learn and maybe advance problem-solving skills. I think that’s a really good aspect of chess.”
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