Chess is a wonderful, zesty enterprise, a classic test of mental acuity, strength and endurance. I love playing chess because it is a game of calculation, planning, and strategy that is not without elements of risk, daring, and spontaneity.
Unfortunately, many people on campus are keeping their chess lives private. I feel Tufts has many closet chess players, students who play late at night behind closed doors. Then there are kids who say "I used to play chess," meaning they took anxiety medication from the age of 8 to 11 to compete in junior chess tournaments across the state of Massachusetts.
During my time at Tufts, I've discovered and heard of many inspiring places on campus to checkmate your opponent. To encourage a healthier, more active chess life on campus, here are my top 10 places to do it on the hill:
10. Music Book Stacks. Unless you play a musical instrument or sing in one of Tufts only-all-something a cappella groups, you might not even know that Tufts has a music library. Well, we do. It's kind of hard to find, but once you navigate your way through the basement of Aidekman, you will be rewarded by finding a treasure trove of unlimited classical and jazz music, perfect to set the mood for a relaxing, late night game of chess.
9. Women's Center. Some feminists may decry chess as dangerous, anachronistic, hierarchical residue of the historically male-dominated establishment that oppressed and promoted violence against women. But who are they kidding? This is a game where the queen is the most versatile and powerful piece on the board. Her sole objective is to trap the opponent's king. Sounds like a liberal feminist agenda to me.
8. The Institute for Global Leadership (EPIIC House). Chess is good for democracy and world peace because it brings together people of all ages and nationalities. You don't have to speak the same language as your opponent, so long as you know how to play the game. Indians beating Pakistanis, Israelis taunting Palestinians, Americans liberating Iraqis - all on the chess board - are good for international relations.
7. South Hall Bathroom. It seems the self-locking bathrooms in South Hall are on everyone's top 10 lists these days. If you come at a highly trafficked time of the day, you may have to take a number and wait your turn.
6. Russian House. For obvious reasons, we know the kids in the Russian House are probably playing a lot of chess. It's no mistake that Russians tend to be very good at the game. After the Revolution in 1917, the communist government implemented an intensive chess education program that trained a generation of young prodigies. If your name is Boris, Vladimir, Sergei, or Viktor, you could be an international grand master. But don't worry. Once the vodka starts flowing, they call everyone Boris.
5. Tisch Library. Everyone knows that the Tisch stacks are used for more than just academic research. But I bet you didn't know they could be used to play chess. When your energy and concentration start to fade during those late night study hours, wouldn't you love to expand your horizons with a quick game in the stacks?
4. Hillel. Friday nights are the best time to kick your chess game. First we pray, then we eat, and then the games begin. Plus, at Hillel you're guaranteed that the pieces are kosher and that all your moves are authorized under rabbinic supervision.
3. On the Internet. For those of you who prefer to play with yourself, against a computer, or with a random Internet buddy, there's a whole world of Internet chess sites with many services available. Yahoo chess, for example, allows you to open a public table where other chess enthusiasts may join to play or watch. Other sites offer private tables just for you and a special friend.
2. On the Joey. Best to break out the magnetic chess board for this random encounter. It could be a bumpy ride.
1. Tisch Library Roof. My favorite stop on the admissions tour is also a great place to roll out your vinyl board, set up your plastic pieces and go at it. With a spectacular view of the Boston city skyline, where better than on the library roof to fork the bishops and pin the queen?
These are some of the classic hot spots on campus that I hope will see a bit more chess action from now on. I think it would do everyone a world of good if we all bickered at each other a little less and just played more chess. For the novices, the only way to improve is with practice. Find a worthy opponent and meet them at the Russian house or at the Women's Center. And for those closet chess mavens out there, let's get it on. A playa's gotta play.
Noah Trugman is a senior majoring in philosophy.
