The story of some kids who loved to play chess: Meet the Young Chess Turks

Fifty plus years ago, ten high school chess players swaggered into a tournament thinking they were going to go home with all the prizes. It didn’t happen. We went home knowing we had a lot to learn. We spent our evenings together, reviewing our games and sharing chess ideas. On our weekends, we went to tournaments mostly in the Northwest, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. We got better, winning prizes and our ratings started climbing. We became a chess force, beating most players we faced. And to those of you snickering in the back, no, we didn’t have girlfriends to keep us busy on weekends.

Some of us traveled around the country, playing in tournaments in Massachusetts, Washington DC, Virginia, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Nevada and California. We picked up rating points and a little money. Well, enough that we didn’t have to sleep in our cars and not live on peanut butter sandwiches. We moved up to McDonald’s (hamburgers were fifteen cents then!). I ate 12 one time, which was most of my winnings. Okay, so we were playing more for bragging rights than for vast riches!

Some of us were lucky enough to play overseas in England, Viet Nam and Australia. But we kept in touch, sharing game scores and ideas. Now and then, we would meet up at a tournament. It was like old times. We were high school kids again. We had the same hopes and dreams for our chess.

The years and time took their toll. One by one the Turks slipped away. Till now, there are only four left. Dave Beller, who likes to show new players at the club that his Colle Opening System still has bite. Gary Beller patiently shows young players where they go wrong and how to improve their chess game. Scott Blackburn still plays every game like first prize is on the line. So, he plays slow, slow, slow! We tell him we are going to stop timing his games with a chess clock and start using a calendar. Then there is me, Coach Larry, who works with the kids who want to be chess winners and are willing to spend the time to improve and go to tournaments. The ones who want to be the new, young chess Turks.

Larry Ball (Coach Larry) teaches students of all ages at the Steinitz Chess Academy in Beaverton. Questions? Email Larry at larryball48@yahoo.com.