Whether you are in middle or high school, joining the chess club at our school is a solid way to get better at thinking under pressure without it feeling like another hour of class.

The game forces you to think several steps ahead. You learn how to spot traps, manage your time, and predict what other people are going to do before they do it. This kind of focus helps with everything from acing a difficult test to staying calm during stressful situations. It also teaches you how to handle losing; instead of getting frustrated, you learn to look back at your mistakes and fix them for next time.

The club's leader, Andrew Groothuis saw the value in the game when students first asked to bring it back.

"Several years ago, two students approached me about re-launching the Chess club which had been on hiatus. They had a passion for it, and I felt if students are excited about something that we can offer to them, that should be explored. I also had never played Chess in my life, so I saw it as an opportunity for myself to learn such a strategic and engaging activity that has so many pieces of connective tissue to school subjects that you would never even think of” he said.

The chess club is one of the only places on campus where your social status or grade level doesn't matter. You could be a sixth grader sitting across from a senior. There is no pressure to act a certain way or try to fit into a specific group. You just show up, play, and hang out with people who are there for the same challenge.

You do not need to be an expert to join. The club is meant for people to practice and get better together. If you want a way to sharpen your brain and find a relaxed place to hang out during after school hours, the chess club is the perfect place to go!