Winning.

A concept found in almost all activities, and an idea that many members of the Chess Club define as the reason they love chess and choose to spend their Friday lunches in room D10.

The Chess Club is fairly new to Carlmont, with junior Nicholas Hsu founding it just two years ago.

Hsu has been playing chess since Kindergarten, and his decision to create a chess club came naturally to him. “Back at my middle school I had a chess club, I decided to carry on the tradition over here,” he said. “When I first started, there were seven people here. We have had 20 come before, but right now we have 12, which is usually the average.” The new school year brought many new members to the club, many of whom are freshmen.

A typical meeting involves three or four chess games going on at once. Members take turns using the boards because there are not enough for everyone to play at the same time. Hsu said that he used to incorporate chess lessons into club meetings, but decided that he wanted “everyone to play while they’re here so no one feels left out.”

The club’s general vibe is very casual, yet focused. This is easily observed from the members’ relaxed attitudes about their club. For example, for many meetings Hsu must create a game sign up list because everyone is so eager to play. The members are competitive but don’t take things too seriously. Senior Daniel Wong was nonchalant as he played, laughing as he captured his opponent’s knight piece.

Wong has been involved with the Chess Club since his sophomore year, but he’s been playing for over ten years. “I haven’t played consistently, really just whenever the opportunity presented itself,” he said. “I found out about this club by accident,” and he’s been attending each meeting ever since.

Although winning the game is one of the main motivators for members of the chess club, there are other reasons many love the game.

“Chess tests mental capabilities versus physical capabilities,” said Wong.

“It is a great mental game,” said freshman Dennis Zabluda.