Tulane Chess Club Unites Community Through Love of Chess

The Qatar Ballroom was abuzz with excitement as Tulane University’s two-day chess tournament unfolded on Sept. 21 and 22. Players of all ages gathered to showcase their strategic skills and passion for the timeless game, creating a sense of community and camaraderie.

Organized by Tulane Chess Club and Downriver Chess Club of New Orleans, the tournament featured five rounds of classic chess on day one, with players having an hour on the clock for each match. Day two brought the fast-paced action of speed chess, where players had only five minutes to make their moves. Elio Sharp, a freshman in high school, emerged victorious on both days, even defeating Tulane Chess Club’s top player.

“Playing and winning against adults is one of the reasons I love chess,” Sharp said. “It is a community that brings people together regardless of age or other factors – only a love for chess.”

Beyond the tournament, Tulane Chess Club is working to spread their love for chess to children in the New Orleans area. President Carter Williams and Vice President Harry James are collaborating with Strategic Thoughts NOLA, an organization that uses chess to aid in youth development. Through this partnership, chess enthusiasts visit underprivileged schools to teach elementary students the game, imparting valuable life skills in the process.

In an effort to further promote chess education, Williams and James are working with Professor Dennis Kehoe to introduce a chess-based Tulane Interdisciplinary Experience Seminar. This seminar, part of Tulane’s first-year curriculum, will offer students the opportunity to engage in service learning by teaching chess at local schools.

Looking ahead, the chess club hopes to expand the TIDES course into a standalone offering, led by faculty advisor Andrew Squitiro. Students will have the chance to delve deeper into chess strategies and contribute to their community through teaching opportunities at elementary schools.

Through their annual tournaments and ongoing service initiatives, Tulane Chess Club is proving that chess transcends age and fosters a sense of unity within the New Orleans community. They are demonstrating that chess is more than just a game – it is a vehicle for connection and growth.