What started as a cry for help from a visiting traveller has grown into one of Queenstown’s busier and more sociable clubs.
Queenstown Chess Club organiser Chris Rae says a ‘‘random’’ visitor posted a plea on social media this past summer, seeking someone with whom to have a game of chess.
From those tentative beginnings the new informal club’s sprung up, now boasting about 130 casual members, and hosting regular weekly chess nights for 20-30 players.
‘‘A bunch of people, then venues, jumped on that original post saying ‘Yes, come play here with us,’ and, from there, it just snowballed,’’ Rae says.
‘‘Now we routinely see over 20 players a night from all walks of life, from absolute beginner to chess wizard.’’
He says the club’s focused on adults, because it meets at Pog Mahone’s pub on Tuesday nights, from 7pm.
‘‘Yes, we play chess, but it’s also a social club, so we enjoy a beer or two and a bit of banter.’’
Chess is a game anyone can pick up and enjoy, he says.
‘‘We have a wide range of skill levels, but I’d say about half the new people who turn up have never really played much.
‘‘We’re very happy to take people through the basics and get them going.’’
Rae says because chess, like all game-playing, is good for your brain, the mental exercise and social aspects have also been formally recognised by local health overseers.
‘‘The club was recently approved funding to buy club chess sets from the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group, as part of an effort to improve mental health outcomes in the community.
‘‘The club has a great core crew of people who show up to play chess and have a laugh.
‘‘It’s a super-welcoming environment where folks can turn up, socialise, meet new people and play some casual games.’’
