SPOT ON CHESS PUZZLES for TUESDAY the 25th of April, 2023

Hello!

What are the benefits of your local chess club? It will, ideally, be a place to meet, play and learn from others that share your interest in OTB (Over The Board) play. A good club - like the OREGON CITY CHESS CLUB - makes for a pleasant congenially competitive atmosphere where you can grow as a chess player. For those of you who live in the PACIFIC NORTHWEST or live in the Portland area then this club is a must visit chess club. Here are there details as lifted from off of their Meet-Up page:

“What we're about

Our free to all club has been meeting for casual chess since 1976 with an emphasis on enjoying chess and helping each other to improve our skills. Current active members range from beginners to former experts.
We meet every Sunday from 12;30 to 4 PM at the Pioneer Community Center (615 5th St Oregon City), enter via the daylight basement on Washington St. Except on the last Sunday of the month, we meet at the nearby Oregon City Library (606 John Adams St). Both locations are spacious, quiet, well-lit, and close to I-205 and McLoughlin Blvd."

Having stopped in for some casual play I had more than rust banged off of my game: but a real shiner of a goose egg on my ego! I was humbled by my humble opponent Greg Markowski in our first chess game - congratulations Greg! All one can say about chess results is that sometimes you are the bat and sometimes you are the ball!

If you do not have a local chess club, then why not start one up? Many businesses will gladly host clubs to increase foot traffic - with the understanding that the utilization of space is justified by patronage of the local business or businesses. Or you can do a private by invite club - right from the comfort of your own home. Playing online is fun... but meeting folks, learning and growing as a chess player is more enjoyable. At least that is my point of view anyways.

Enjoy today's puzzles, and always play the best moves in the game of life! ~ Sean Tobin.