Joe Meyer (right) contemplates his next move in a game against Brian Kriesel at Hayden Table Tennis in Willamsburg. Photo by Brian Keilen

Members of the Traverse City Chess Club held a meet and greet at Hayden Table Tennis Training Center in Williamsburg Saturday, Feb. 16, to increase awareness of their game of choice.

The club plans to hold meetings at Hayden Table Tennis every Sunday beginning this weekend, Feb. 24, and hopes to drum up enough support to eventually hold rated tournaments, member Chris Courtright said.

"We've wanted to do this for a while, but didn't have the facility," Courtright said.

But then he met Don Hayden, who was hosting games on Tuesday evenings.

The club is hoping to attract chess players of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced levels. The lack of organized chess in the region was a big factor in the club's decision, members said. Several large tournaments are held downstate, but there are none in northern Michigan.

"One of our big motivations was that there are no options up here," Courtright, who has been playing chess since he was about 17, said. Tournaments are typically divided into different sections based upon skill level and age. But most tournaments usually feature an "Open" section where anyone can participate.

"That's where all the big dogs play," Reserve Section Michigan State Champion Joe Meyer said.

One of the club's main goals is to get young people out learning and playing chess. Interest in the game was been waning in recent years, club members said, mainly due to the rise in popularity of games like poker.

"People who are more analytical can win money at poker," Meyer said. "Our rewards to do this are more personal and less material." Look in future editions of The Town Meeting for chess puzzles from Chris Courtright.

Brian Keilen can be reached for question or comment at bkeilen@ michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-264-9711.