Registration open for Chess tournament

By Deborah Rose

The game of Chess will be the focus of a special event this weekend in New Milford.

The New Milford Library will hold a Chess tournament for individuals age 8 and older Saturday, June 8, from 1 to 5 p.m.

The tournament is open to players of all levels.

“It’s one of the nicest surprises to see people signed up,” said resident Sal Rynkiewicz, who birthed the idea of a local Chess tournament. “Twenty-two people have already signed up.”

Seventeen more seats are available.

Rynkiewicz started playing Chess at age 7 while living in Poland. By age 9, he played in a tournament with FIDE, a world Chess organization.

“You play to win there,” he said, adding he has been playing ever since.

Rynkiewicz, a member of New Milford Town Council, said the idea of having a tournament in town was sparked by hearing youth address the council in event years. He said a common thread he heard was youth searching “for the meaning in life.”

Reflecting on how the game of Chess is an intellectual exercise and an entertaining activity that shapes individuals, he thought he’d organize a Chess tournament.

Unfortunately, it didn’t get off the ground last year as he had hoped, but this year he connected with the 24 Main St. library and things moved forward. 

Public Services Librarian Amy Berkun said the library has never held a Chess tournament, although Chess clubs.

“It’s what we wanted – to get people really excited about Chess,” Berkun said of the tournament’s registration thus far.

 Players will play two games each and receive a Bobby Fischer book about how to play Chess.

Depending on time and attendance, simultaneous games may be offered.

“We’re hoping this leads to more tournaments – definitely – and even leads to a (permanent) Chess Club,” Berkun said.

The Chess tournament will be held at Junee 3 from 1 to 5 p.m. at New Milford Public Library, 24 Main St., New Milford. To register, visit https://newmilford.libcal.com/event/12152049.