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The West Orange Chess Club is one of the longest-running chess clubs in New Jersey.

Currently consisting of 30 members, however, none of them are women. John Hagerty, the president of the club, hopes for change, not only in New Jersey, but in the United States.

Started in 1978 with four members, the club continued to win tournaments and championships, even landing them on the cover of Chess Life Magazine in 2011. Hagerty continues to promote chess and strives for more diversity. The club consists of many diverse careers including engineers, machinists, personal trainers and lawyers. They had a few women as members in the past but not currently.

As for diversity in ethnicity, about half of its members are black, South Asian or Chinese Americans. Hagerty said that is the typical breakdown for this particular area.

As to why there is a minority of activity in the U.S. among women is unknown. The game of chess is more popular in Europe and Asia. I wish that it was more popular among women, unfortunately chess is a very male dominated activity, although some women achieve grandmaster stature (the highest level of Chess). Hagerty states.

According to USChess.org, one top grandmaster is Jennifer Shahade, who is a is a two-time U.S. Womens Championship, author, commentator and editor of uschess.org. Hagery spoke very highly of Shahade and how she is continuing to promote Chess.

Most chess played at the grandmaster stature, women compete equally to men. Hagerty said, I want to make that clear. Occasionally, there will be women only events for promotional purposes but it is all the same ranking systems and formulas, Hagerty states.

Hagerty thinks there are two theories as to why. Some people believe that the way of thinking in chess appeals to a mans perspective at solving problems. On the other hand, some people think that the cultural concepts and negative reinforcements or stereotype factors. Hagerty, a retired machinist, has received backhanded compliments himselfyou dont look like a chess player.

Take for example, the card game Bridge, about 40% of women play this card game more than chess, said Hagerty. Unfortunately, chess clubs in the United States dont have a program to push chess towards women. Hagerty hopes that changes for the future.

For the past 10 years, Hagerty in his spare time, teaches children about chess in after school and library programs. Currently, he teaches at the Cedar Grove Library on Friday afternoons, from 3:45 to 5 p.m. He has about 8 to 10 children in the program. He has also conducted programs at Gregory Elementary in West Orange, Roseland Library, Caldwell Library and the Verona Public Library.

If there is enough interest in an after school or library program, I will arrange plans, Hagerty said. He composes beginner packets to hand out to the children. During the one hour session, he shows them a demo game and lets them play, while making sure they are conducting legal moves.

It is important they dont feel pressured but are shown the right way to play. If some kids are interested, I will show them the more competitive chess tournaments, states Hagerty. The Westfield YMCA will host chess tournaments where 60% are kids under the age of 14.

According to Hagerty, inner cities have more success promoting the game of chess rather than in Caucasian suburban communities. The game doesnt require much monetary investments to play, as opposed to sports, which can be cost prohibiting.

My personal theory is that chess is more popular in inner cities. I notice that some schools are pushing for chess in general. Hagerty continues,It teaches logic, planning, alters your ideas of thinking, structures your thinking and teaches you discipline. Kids who tend to struggle in school, seem to do better in school after they take up chess.

For those who are interested in learning more about chess can access chess.com. It has tutorials and the ability to compete against other players around the world in a matter of minutes.

The internet helps bring exposure to chess and enables people to compete with others all over the world. Hagerty continues, Unfortunately, the internet loses the companionship of the game; it loses that personal interaction. There is a love/hate relationship among chess clubs and the internet.

Hagerty hopes for more women, more diversity and more promotion of the game of chess in the United States. West Orange welcomes people of all ages and playing abilities.

We dont let politics get in the way of pursuing our passion, said Hagerty.

See more here:
Long-running N.J. chess club strives to be as diverse as the people who call the Garden State home - nj.com