Magnum Opus: the story
Many wonder, what was the Magnum Opus origin story?
Magnum Opus was founded by DavidMc98, MattThresh and I because we had a vision: that we could rally great men from across the globe under a common flag, with a common purpose. The purpose is self-evident, the club was founded for the love of the game, but the flag and the name has deep symbolism embedded in its heraldic nature.
The origin
The club began from a group chat called "Queens Gambit" [sic], an intercollegiate Facebook messenger group with students from the London School of Economics, Nottingham University et al. It served as a platform for glorious battles across some of the finest institutions the UK had to offer. But, like the apostrophe in Queen's, it was missing something.
After weeks of inactivity interspersed with tension, "Semi-Open File" was made. This was a smaller group, a kinder group, which began as a platform for this Club's founders to discuss topical matters in chess such as the merits of the Modern defence, and the who's who of Queens Gambit. In the incubator of this chat, DavidMc98 had his brilliancy: a chess club need be born. He spoke it into existence, and all it required was a name, an emblem and a creed.
The name
Puns were proffered. Puns were denied. Ultimately, it was decided that our name would be best in Latin. Why? Many words can trace their roots to Latin, in French, Spanish, English, etc. Whatever the club was to be called, it should represent its people, diverse and of many backgrounds, but demos.
Magnum Opus, or Masterpiece, is a creation that has been given much praise, especially one considered the greatest work of a person's career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill, profundity, or workmanship. Historically, a "masterpiece" was a work of a very high standard produced to obtain membership of a guild or academy in various domains. The name represents the pride of its founders in the club, its members, and their service to the game. It is also something to aspire to. Every match should have the potential to be considered our Magnum Opus.
The coat of arms
A coat of arms presented a blank canvas to display the values of Magnum Opus:
The Eagle: the eagle was known as the symbol of the Roman legion, and in Medieval times represented St John the Evangelist. The author of the Gospel of John seemed interested in maintaining the anonymity of the author's identity. The author was later believed to be the Apostle John, one of the few apostles who was not killed for his faith.
The Tree: the symbolism is self-evident. A group that slowly grows large and strong, able to weather the most thunderous of storms. However, there is a deeper symbolism in that of Oaktree Capital Management and their philosophy: the primary of risk control, Emphasis on Consistency and The benefits of specialisation. Like the Sequoia, Magnum Opus will stand strong for centuries.
The Bishop: because bishops are bishops but also bishops.
The Knight: brave, and also a chess piece.
Finally, we look at the creed: Patienta est Virtus, or Patience is a Virtue. Through consistency, the primacy of risk control, and our faith in the game, we will not be mated. Although it is early days, we have already had many games where all seemed lost due to early blunders. Due to our persistence the games were blundered back to us. In the match of life, this is our Magnum Opus. Let us exercise more patience as time goes on.
Yours,
Asurat
