CCC Changes Club Night to Thursdays!
by NM Leland Fuerstman
Playing chess on Wednesday evening has been a tradition for the past 42 years in Charlotte, NC. Ten years ago, as many as 48 players would show up every week to participate in one round of tournament play. (A tradition which I began in Atlanta in 1972 as organizer/director of the Decatur CC and has been practiced by other clubs all over the country since! Prior to that, the same players would play speed chess every week not allowing others to participate? I saw a need for change and effected it). Over the past 10 years or so, we have seen chess clubs spring up here and there, but the Charlotte Chess Center seems to have been the only one to survive. Hats off to FM Peter Giannatos who has done an excellent job providing tournament chess for scores of scholastic players, as well as adults, in the Charlotte area. Though his facility leaves a bit to be desired, the popularity of their weekday and weekend events have overshadowed the efforts of other local organizations. Yet, there are profound differences between the Chess Center and the Charlotte Chess Club. {"...too many people breathing the same air" WC Magnus Carlsen} Our spacious venue guarantees a private area with padded booths and a lamp over each table! - 2 players per table!! "Wi-Fi," great menu and prices, direct parking for 100 cars, his & hers sanitary multi-port lavatories and a very friendly restaurant crew! And, though our club caters mostly to adults, their Tuesday night event has had an adverse affect on our turnout on Wednesday evening. Some players found it too impractical to play rated chess two nights in a row. Others attend religious services or other events. 

Recalling the difference between an intelligent man and a wise man, "a wise man has the ability to change his mind!" And, though an intelligent man may have all of his facts straight, "a wise man knows when to share his opinion, and when not to! (I seem to have a problem with that one...) Then, one becomes confronted with, "win an argument; lose a friend." Regardless, I know the difference between right and wrong and as a chess journalist, I have a responsibility to share my opinions, sentiments and concerns with other chess players. It's time to let bygones be bygones. * There are dozens of players in the Charlotte area who have been dissuaded from participating in Charlotte Chess Club events by the scurrilous statements of one disgruntled malcontent. In almost every case, those players have never even met me!? In reality, I am a competent player, directer and organizer who always returns at least 75%! I am also a friendly and likable guy; if you'd give it a fair chance to get to know me.

All of that having been said, we have decided to change the meeting night of the Charlotte Chess Club to Thursdays! McAlister's Deli is a perfect place to dine, socialize with other adults, solve the weekly puzzle and play one rated game of chess at 7:30pm sharp! It is our hope that more local players will be able to join us for tournament competition. If you haven't ever played at the CCC, your first tournament game is FREE! Furthermore, I am asking our existing 60 members to please participate more often and personally encourage your friends to join us on Thursday evenings! Round 1 of McAlister's XXXII begins this Thursday, July 29. Hope to see you there!

PS: Big Cookie XX will take place on Saturday, July 1, at 10:30am at McAlister's Deli. E-mail me at charlottechessclub@gmail.com to place your name on the list of Players Who Intend to Participate. Many new friends are waiting to meet you at the Charlotte Chess Club! NMLF