State of the Murfreesboro Chess Club: Our Future is Looking Bright
04/03/2021
We are beginning to see some very hopeful indicators that look good for the Murfreesboro Chess Club to resume in-person meetings at the church later this year. As I understand it, the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church will have an outdoor service for Easter Sunday. They have yet to meet with the congregation in the sanctuary, but are looking to the relatively near future to start doing so. The pastors have some specific criteria that they are monitoring in order to make that tentative decision. Once the decision is made they will implement precautions prescribed by their board and that of their insurance, to try and keep everyone as safe as possible. Our plan is to follow their lead with implementing precautions, and we won’t meet until they have fully engaged in meetings themselves.
On a personal note, I am scheduled for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on April 10th. If I’m able to obtain one sooner I will try to take advantage of the opportunity. To be on the safe side, I predict that we won’t physically meet again until early June. That is with the church already having done the same, and with good news coming by way of state and local reports.
In late March we made our optimistic commitment to the future by renewing our Affiliate Membership with the US Chess Federation. We are also in the pre-planning stages with TD Chris Prosser to hold a Swiss tournament in November of this year. Of course, all plans are tentative based on the health and safety of players at any given time.
It is quite possible that we will continue our online events even after we start meeting at the church again. This will give players greater choices, especially if they are unable to attend in the flesh.
One thing that would be very helpful is to have some commitments made by regular MCC members in assuming leadership roles within the club as officers. Ideally, this would also include adding more tournament directors, for which we can happily offer assistance. If you would like to participate in any capacity, please send an email to: murfreesborochess@gmail.com stating your interest.
More information will be shared when we know more. Thanks for your continued interest, and we look forward to our bright future together as a club.
