Chess members host tournament

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Even though he’s the vice president of the MSU Chess Club, Alex Delgado admits he doesn’t know everything about the game.

During a chess tournament held Sunday at the Union, Delgado, a computer science junior, said he learned how much simple mistakes can impact a game.

“Sometimes, I move pieces just for the sake of moving it,” Delgado said. “I shouldn’t do that.”

The chess club, which has about 15 members, held its annual tournament Sunday afternoon. Club president Carlos Fernandez-Torres said the event was held in part to attract more members to the group. Fernandez-Torres said he looked at the University of Michigan chess club — which he said has thousands of members — and hopes to reach that amount.

“Our main goal is to increase membership,” said Fernandez-Torres, an international relations senior. “I’ve been taking advice from friends in other organizations about where to find money and get the name out there.”

With hopes of promoting the group, Fernandez-Torres said he wants to hold more events similar to Sunday’s tournament.

“I’m trying to organize a tournament every semester and trying to do more,” Fernandez-Torres said.

Four-year chess club member Alisher Sanetullaev played in Sunday’s tournament for fun, even though he said he prepared for the event.

“I solved some tactical problems,” said Sanetullaev, a physics graduate student. “Tactics are important. If you make a mistake, you could lose outright.”

Sanetullaev, who has played chess since he was 7 years old, said it takes him anywhere from five minutes to a half an hour to decide on what move to make.

“I like the thinking and analyzing (aspect of the game),” Sanetullaev said.

Reading chess books is one of the ways Sanetullaev said he works on becoming a better chess player and learning new strategies.

“If you know openings, you have an advantage over your opponent,” Sanetullaev said. “If you don’t, then you have to invent the wheel on the board. You have to think and waste precious time.”

Delgado, who began playing chess at 12, said he tries to remain on his toes and think of every possible move before making a final decision.

“When I’m planning a move, I think about how my opponent reacts,” Delgado said.

Delgado takes his playing seriously, he also likes playing the game for fun.

“Even if I’m losing, I still enjoy myself and try to learn,” Delgado said.

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