Tom McGrath, 73, of De Soto wanted to share his love of chess with youngsters, so he started chess clubs at the De Soto, Festus and Crystal City libraries.
The members regularly get together at the libraries to play the game and learn how to improve their play.
McGrath said he formed the chess clubs after searching for one in Jefferson County and coming up empty.
The chess club members meet from 9:30-11:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at the De Soto Public Library, 712 S. Main St.; from 9:30-11:30 a.m. the second and fourth Saturdays each month at the Festus Public Library, 400 W. Main St; and 3-5 p.m. every Tuesday at the Crystal City Public Library, 736 Mississippi Ave.
There is no charge to participate, and people from all around the county and beyond are welcome to join, McGrath said.
“They can be from anywhere,” McGrath said.
He said the chess clubs mainly are targeted at youngsters, but parents who take their children to the meetings also have been playing.
McGrath said the chess clubs are for players of various levels of experience with the game, from beginners on up.
“It’s basically designed for the age group of 9 to 13,” he said. “The age is discretionary. I very much encourage the parents to stay for the meetings. We do ask that people do register, just to have names on paper to show who’s there.”
McGrath said he played chess as a youngster and returned to the game a few years ago.
“During COVID, with all the lockdown stuff, it became way more popular playing chess (over the internet),” he said.
McGrath said playing chess online is much different than playing in person.
“It’s almost like two different games,” he said. “It’s different if you play in person or on a flat, vertical plane (on a computer). You have to adapt. In person, it’s three-dimensional. It can be disorienting to switch to a physical chess board from a screen chess board.”
He said playing in person enhances his enjoyment of the game.
“I prefer a physical board chess game because it has more of a social aspect,” McGrath said. “I find both ways to play interesting. It’s just more pleasant in person.”
McGrath said while he gets the clubs off the ground, he is running the meetings in more or less a teaching format.
“I set up a laptop with a projector,” he said. “There are really good YouTube tutorials. I help (the youngsters). There will be different kids there for different reasons. Some kids are motivated to get better.”
He said the game of chess appeals to people of all ages.
“Being older, it’s one of several ways to get your mind stronger,” he said. “I’m still learning. I’m still trying to get better.”
Chess sets are provided at the meetings, but players may bring their own, he said.
Karen Graham, the De Soto Public Library director, said she appreciates McGrath leading the chess club meetings.
“We had a chess club pre-COVID,” Graham said. “It stopped during COVID. Then, Mr. McGrath approached us with the idea for a new one. So far, we’ve had 10 to 13 kids come each month. That’s great interest. I do consider it to be off to a good start.”
Participants say they enjoy their participation in the clubs.
“I heard about the chess club and wanted to see if I could play,” said Hayden Rector, 13, of Festus, who plays at the Festus Public Library meetings. “I’m new to chess. It’s my first involvement with it. It was very stimulating and fun, and I get to meet new people.
“My brother, Hudson, came with me (to a meeting) and it was fun to have him there. He’s 8.”
Candace Siebert of Herculaneum recently took her children, Lucas Collins, 11, and Abby Siebert, 7, to the meetings at Festus.
“Right now, they understand it at a basic level,” she said. “I’m looking for them to improve their skills. I enjoyed the meeting and the kids enjoyed it, as well, Lucas especially. They both said they learned a few new things. I think the club will help them advance their games.”
McGrath started the De Soto and Festus clubs a few months ago and added the Crystal City Club in August.
Tania Laughlin, director of the Crystal City Public Library, said she welcomed the club to her library.
“I just like the opportunity to offer new activities for our clients,” Laughlin said. “We like to get more young people into the library.”
McGrath said the Crystal City club looks to be gaining steam.
“The first time we only had one kid, but it was the first day of school. Last night, we had six people,” he said late in August.
McGrath said the clubs could be expanded later to encourage older members to join and to have more competitive games.
For more information, call the De Soto Public Library at 636-586-3858, the Festus Public Library at 636-937-2017 or the Crystal City Public Library at 636-937-7166.