It’s been a while. What’s been going on, you ask? Well, in the last so many (Covid) years I’ve moved from Portland to Rockport. I was also offered an opportunity to work at Driscoll Children’s Hospital and regularly commute to Corpus Christi. We have baby boy #5 on the way, and he will no doubt be a chess player too.
So, chess? It has been a while since any rated OTB tournaments have occurred in the area. Most Saturdays, there is some action at the Neyland Public Library in Corpus for a few hours. Portland is rumored to have someone wanting to get things started there and was going to reach out to me at some point. I ran the Portland chess club for a few years. It was all about regularity and showing up for folks who may or may not attend each week. You never knew who or how many, but it was at the Bell/Whittington public library. Sometimes we held it at the Dairy Queen, but there was a fairly aggressive and mean gang of grumpy Bunco players that showed up from time to time, so we decided the library was best. Most regular club goers were students, with some adults on occasion. Some parents would drop their kids off and pick them up afterwards. Sometimes the library would even make popcorn and have drinks for the players. (Grumpy Bunco players thankfully lack library cards, so we were safe).
At any rate, I’m going to start hosting the Third Coast Chess club again in Rockport. Actually, in Lamar (think Goose Island State Park), in Old Tasselfoot Village. Essentially, underneath my covered boat parking area outdoors. Plenty of parking for vehicles (or golf carts if you’re a Lamartian or winter Texan). It’s shaded, I’ve ordered three 6ft. tables and twelve chairs, and I may end up getting some fans. So, we can easily accommodate 12 players initially. I will work out the days and times and other logistics, but I’m thinking the meetings will begin sometime in August. All ages and skill levels will be welcome, from complete beginners to grandmasters. May even start hosting some officially rated (USCF) club tournaments.
I will be working on this page a bit. Until next time!
