In pop culture age, game still has appeal

Playing video games and Wii are the current recreational rage, but the centuries-old game of chess still has appeal due to one important advantage.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above: Dylan Fitzgerald, 7, plays a game of chess the Monmouth Chess School and Club's "Early March Quads," a novice class. Below: Instructor Michael Koblementz demonstrates moves to several students in the class. "Whether you are playing face-to-face against another person or are playing someone on the Internet, the opponent in chess is usually human," observed Michael Koblentz, director of the Monmouth Chess School and Club.

Koblentz added, "There is a social structure built up around chess based on a long history of passing the game's knowledge both from one generation to the next and from one culture to the next. There is a widely publicized system of rankings to measure and recognize performance, thereby providing positive reinforcement to improving players."

Koblentz, a U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) tournament director, founded the Monmouth Chess School and Club last April at the Little Silver Library, where meetings were held until the club's recent move to the YMCA's Children's Cultural Center at 51 Monmouth St. in Red Bank.

The club opened in Red Bank in February and meets Sunday's noon to 6 p.m.

In addition to providing instruction, the club holds tournament events, with plans to promote larger chess events that benefit the Community YMCA's Strong Kids Program as the club grows, said Koblentz in an email.

Early March Quads were held March 1 and the 2009 New Jersey Shore League Championships were held at the Eatontown Mall Feb. 25.

According to the website, www.monmouthchess.com, the club's mission statement is, "The Monmouth Chess School and Club is dedicated to promoting the benefits of chess through a balance of instruction, study and play."

Students are divided into groups based on experience and playing ability.

"There are Beginner groups and several levels each of Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. Beginners and most Novices take group lessons," Koblentz explained. "The Advanced and Intermediate players take private lessons."

Currently, the school has 18 students enrolled, including group and private students, half of whom participated in the Quads event for some instruction and tournament play. Students range in age from youths to a 69-year-old playing at the Novice level.

"In general, experience and playing skill is the only thing that matters, not age," said Koblentz, who is assistant coach and trainer of the Christian Brothers Academy Chess Team.

The website extols the benefits of learning the game of strategy.

"Chess is a fascinating game played for centuries throughout the world. It is a proven, internationally recognized academic learning tool that allows students of all ages to improve their logical reasoning and problem solving skills," the website states.

Boards and sets are provided for all activities but students are encouraged to bring their own clocks. If needed, the special timers may be purchased or rented for a nominal charge.

A resident of Colts Neck, Koblentz was previously director of the Little Silver Chess Club. According to the website, as a player, Koblentz is a USCF Candidate Master with top finishes in the numerous championship events. He played on the top two boards for the Bell Labs Chess Team in Raritan Valley League competition and was ranked in Chess World's top 100 as a correspondence player.

Koblentz has lectured and performed simultaneous exhibitions for school chess clubs and community events and has many students including winners of major scholastic chess events in New York, Philadelphia and New Jersey.

Membership in the Monmouth Chess School and Club is $50 for six months, $95 for a full year or $185 for two years. Nonmember casual play is $10 (first-time visitors free). Discounted family memberships are also available.

For more information, call Koblentz at 732-219-0916 or email learnchess@optonline.net.