By Izzy Silverman
David Finkelstein (the hand) gives an example of a possible move. (Photo by Izzy Silverman)
Purchase’s Economics Club held a chess class in preparation for their tournament next week. The idea sprouted from the economics class: Game Theory, which is offered every two years.
“In Game Theory, we are learning about simultaneous versus sequential games," said Alanah Parker, president of the Economics Club. "One of the biggest sequential games that we learned about as an example is chess. So I thought, why not turn that into something because Poker Night was based on game theory as well. We’re all taking the class so might as well start a new tradition and start a chess tournament.”
Economics Club’s chess tournament will take place on Oct. 23 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Social Sciences, Room 1038, and food will be provided. This class, where students were able to practice, was held on Oct. 16. Competitors will start with round-robin-styled timed matches, allowing every player to go against every other player. The person to come in first place will win a $50 Amazon gift card.
“None of us know chess too well, although I’m pretty sure some people on campus do. We would recommend they come to the tournament and show off their skills and crush us. I think that would be really fun,” David Finkelstein, a member of the Economics Club, said.
Finkelstein continued, “If you want a good way to meet people, fun people who prioritize kindness and will help you feel like you’re a part of something, this might be a good step in the door.”
For students in economics courses, certain Economics Club events can act as extra credit. These events include the chess class, the chess tournament, the poker class, and the poker night.
“We picked the end of October because we’re trying to do Poker Night at the beginning of November, so we thought it would be nice to kind of group them all together,” said Parker. “Makes our life a little bit easier, makes it easier for everyone else. They know they only have to show up for like four weeks to get their extra credit and stuff.”
Two members of the economics club compete in a tense game. (Photo via @purchase.econclub on Instagram)
Two Economics Club members and economics majors, Finkelstein and Laurence Kiesel, observed, taught, and participated in practice games for novice and beginner chess players. Assigned as teachers for the chess class, they were tasked with helping attendees gain an understanding of chess concepts.
“I knew that David and Laurence were really good at chess. So I was like, let me ask them if they’ll teach the class and they were totally down,” said Parker.
David Finkelstein (left) and Laurence Kiesel (right) in front of a chess board. (Photo by Izzy Silverman)
“I like chess as a hobby type of thing,” said Finkelstein. “I was like, yeah, let’s do it, and Laurence is really fun too.”
While none of the attendees needed help learning the names of pieces, they were able to give game-related guidance. “I think as a beginner, one of the most important concepts to grasp is controlling the center of the board,” Finkelstein said. “Having them either defended or the ability to attack those squares easily gives you a real leg up on your competitor.”
Within the first 20 minutes, the room grew from a population of three to 10, everybody splitting up into smaller groups of two to play practice games. Finkelstein and Kiesel gave feedback and advice to players.
“Always focus on defense and protecting your pieces,” Kiesel said. “When the trades start initiating, then it’s equal until you can see an opportunity to take the lead.”
Students sit around a table and compete in games of chess. (Photo via @purchase.econclub on Instagram)
Dean Jackman, who is considering economics as a major and said he was a beginner chess player, came to check out the chess class. Having stayed an extra half an hour, Jackman managed to leave undefeated after playing in six practice games. “You have to think a lot and I like how thought-provoking [chess] is,” Jackman said.
Many chess players will use a rating to identify how good they are at playing chess. These ratings are based on how you do in official chess matches. “So, Chess.com is what I know to be the most legitimate place to play chess online,” said Finkelstein. “Your Chess.com rating is also a very credible way to have a rating right now.”
Dean Jackman (left) playing Laurence Kiesel (right). David Finkelstein (center) observing. (Photo by Izzy Silverman)
Any chess player can practice and get better using Chess.com. This website has chess puzzles and lessons, as well as provides a way to play online against either bots or real-life players at your level. “It’s addictive. It is! I can’t play chess online because I get way too addicted to it,” said Finkelstein.
The Economics Club meetings are on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. in Social Sciences, Room 1018.
“There is a lot of a barrier of entry to people thinking about money and talking about money. Kind of being like, hey, it’s not that scary, come talk to us, we’ll help you figure it out,” said Sarah Loendorf, an economics major and future vice president of Economics Club. “If we get to do board games, we’re gonna take every excuse to do it, so come hang out!”
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