Jamaican attitudes towards chess are changing quickly, and although not a traditional endeavour, chess is rapidly gaining traction as a popular and growing activity in the island.

Through the efforts of the Magnificent Chess Club and other chess bodies, the game is growing in stature among Jamaicans, opening the gate for it to become firm in the national psyche.

Chess has not traditionally drawn the national euphoria and widespread sponsorship associated with sports such as football and athletics, but the attention has been growing towards the intellectual endeavour. Images of Jamaicans sitting down before a domino table are becoming just as acceptable as images of Jamaicans sitting down before a chess table.

In addition, more individuals are now seeing chess as more than just a game, but as a tool to develop strategic and reasoning ability, and even for community building.

Important indicators of changing attitudes towards chess include the various competitions in schools, the national competitions, the increasing participation in international tournaments, and the increasing demand for a physical space to play the game.

Sash-Nicole Noble, general manager of Magnificent Chess Club, explains that the constant calls from members of the public prompted the foundation to go ahead with establishing the club building, which boasts a physical space for chess research, chess practice and socialising.

“We opened the club based on demand, because we used to send the calls we got to other clubs, but we basically warmed up to the demands because the public wanted a chess club,” she notes.

“What we have found out is that it’s an absolutely enthralling game and people, even children beginning at four, are beginning to play. Recently we started a programme in the Grants Pen community and we chose men who would usually be on the corners, and immediately they were captivated, so we are extremely confident that once they are exposed we don’t have to convince anybody to like the game cause it speaks in and of itself.”

The benefits to playing chess are well documented, and it seems Jamaicans are becoming more receptive to them. The testimony to this is also in the growing attraction among younger people. The Magnificent Chess Club, for example, works with several schools under its ‘Chess In Schools’ banner, and the club’s summer programme, which runs from July 12 to August 20, is being supported by parents as a preferred option over regular summer camps that do not feature chess.

Though the camp will feature other activities, chess is a pulling factor.

With the continued initiatives of clubs such as the Magnificent Chess Club, this interest seems only set to increase in Jamaica, and with the nation’s penchant for mastering everything it does, the results will continue to be pleasing.