WESTFIELD — For more than five decades, chess players from around the region have met in Westfield to learn, play and hone their skills. Unfortunately, this tradition could soon come to an end.
Gaetano Bompastore, president of the Greater Baystate Chess Association, formerly known as the Westfield Chess Club, said the group cannot afford the $100 weekly rental fee at its current location, St. John’s Church, and provide snacks, drinks and more for players.
Bompastore and the regular players, who range in age from 5 to 80, are heartbroken that a 50-year tradition could be coming to an end. About a dozen players met Monday at the church for what may be their last session, at least for a while.
“We need $900 rent to stay open for the summer. If the club closes, I think it will be a blow to the local communities that will have one less positive entity so desperately needed in our society today,” Bompastore said. “Chess is proven to improve reading, comprehension, mathematics and cognitive skills. It is my vision to take down the walls of division and forge unity and friendships that transcend and bring together all races of peoples, all cultures and geographical boundaries. The game of chess has a beautiful way of achieving this with one another.”
Ilyia Begilman has been participating in the group for 25 years, and not only comes to play, but also teaches young players eager to learn. He learned to play chess growing up in the former Soviet Union, where he said chess is very popular.
Begilman continued to play after moving to the United States and taught his daughter, who was well on her way to becoming a world champion chess player.
“Instead, she became a doctor,” Begilman said, laughing.
His love for the game has never waned, and he began sharing his love and knowledge at the club. Currently, his star pupil is Longmeadow resident David Dubinchik, a 12-year-old chess phenom who meets with the group each Monday to absorb all the skills he can.
“I come to get stronger,” said Dubinchik. “I love the different variations of chess — it never gets old because there is always something new in the game.”
Dubinchik has played in several small tournaments and has his eye on larger ones that would get him recognized and help him with college scholarships.
“He is probably the best chess player under 18 in Western Massachusetts,” said Begilman.
For Dubinchik, having a place to play and learn every week means everything.
“It’s very important to me,” he said. “You have to start plating at a young age to do well in tournaments, so this is a very good opportunity.”
The regular players said they look forward to their Monday evenings together and increasing their skills, as well as having fun and interacting with people of all ages.
Bompastore relies on donations from players and supporters to pay the rental fee to keep the club going, and said he would love to expand the group.
“I welcome everyone with an open heart and open arms to learn, share, teach and compete. My hope is that folks have the best time with chess they’ve ever had in their lives The more we grow together, the bigger our club gets, the more equipment, books, and learning tools we can provide,” he said. “More quality tournaments can be held, and increasingly substantial prize funds, chess programs in the community and schools, and other clubs can grow! Currently, we’re the only U.S. Chess Federation official chess club in Western Massachusetts. There are a few little clubs that meet in libraries, but we’re the only major and official club.”
More information is available at greaterbaystatechess.com and on Facebook.
