Gervais makes its move with chess club Tension seemed to fill the air as players sat hunched with their arms resting on the tables, their eyes focused on the board and a opponents sitting across from them. Everyone knows who the 'chess master' is, but they're trying to beat him. Each round lasts about 15 to 20 minutes and students are required to shake hands after each round and then walk away. You don't see that they're outwardly nervous, but they're very serious. Warberg started the chess club last year when she was hired at the district, having been involved with an OMSI chess tournament at another district.
Chess teaches thinking skills, mental strategies for moving pieces and preparing a game plan.
While it's not difficult to teach the game, it's very systematic, she added. It's fun because it gives you a sense that you know you can beat someone, that you can do it and that you can get better. At Gervais Middle School, team and individual awards were given by David Beebe, chess club master. Browning also won the first place individual award. Vitaly Basargin and Robert Ward tied for second place.