[imagefield_assist|fid=17236|preset=fullsize|title=The Boy Scouts got acquainted with the basics of tournament chess including taking proper notation and learning how to use the clock.|desc=|link=none|origsize=|lightbox=true|align=left|width=1000|height=667]
By Matt Barrett
The most recent of our quarterly Boy Scout Merit Badge workshops took place on Sunday, November 10. On this Sunday in particular, 16 members from local Boy Scout troops signed on to learn the basics of the game of chess. They rolled up their doubloons and prepared to hoist sail on their maiden voyage aboard the USS CCSCSL. Or so I thought.
From captaining many of these day-long seminars, I knew what to expect. We would offer students a portside view of the vast ocean that is chess. A typical day on ship starts with a chance for them to get their feet wet with a discussion of the movement of the pieces. As the day progresses, students dip their toes in the shallows of fundamental strategy, test the waters of tactics, and immerse themselves in checkmate puzzles. Perhaps the greatest challenge for these boys is to keep their heads above water during the tournament, where they may take notation and use a clock all while playing perhaps their first ever competitive chess game!
Of course, my expectations for what a day of this kind will entail have been built from my experiences aboard previous vessels. We usually raise anchor by asking who among them has never played chess before. Invariably, half or more of the participants say “aye”, a tell-tale sign that we are in for a lengthy deck-swabbing in geometry and general principles. Never more than an hour into the day is there a boy present who isn’t venturing into uncharted waters.
On this occasion, much to my surprise, when I took my introductory poll as who did not yet have their sea-legs, not a single boy raised his hand. Of the 16, each knew something of chess. Even the history segment did not overflow the bow.
With this talented assortment of sailors, we were an instant Armada. Not only did I have complete confidence in the crew, but they were equally quick to demonstrate their loyalty both to the game and to the voyage it afforded them.
When duty called, the 16 Boy Scouts met their objective head on. They rose to the occasion, proving that they were mentally and physically up to the task of the tournament. Boldly they struck their clocks. Calmly they annotated their moves. Resolutely they checkmated their rivals or tipped their kings in turn.
By the conclusion of the voyage, each sailor had passed his test. Not only were they well-acquainted with the vessel, but each had taken his hand at the wheel. Each had steered the ship. Each had demonstrated an adept sense of navigation, skirting the dangers lurking on the board as well as in his opponent’s ideas and plans. And each had solved three direct mate problems. These 16 Boys had just earned their Chess Merit Badge, having demonstrated proficiency not just with the basic moves of the game, but also provoking thought at the chessboard and inspiring their fellow players.
