It's your move: Chess lovers find a haven in the Westmount Library

On Friday, Sept. 21, sunlight streamed through the windows of the Westmount Room as heads bowed in familiar concentration over chessboards with their eight-by-eight grids of squares, and pieces moved in their old geometric patterns.

It was the first meeting of the Westmount Public Library’s new chess club.

This meeting was a trial run for the club. “Depending on the amount of interest, and what people want, it could be done every week or every two weeks,” says Ken Lawrence, the chess club’s founder. “It’s a start, and we’ll see how it goes.”

The time, Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m., will remain the same. So will the club’s open-door policy; players of all ages are welcome, as are players of all degrees of skill.

“There’ll be all levels," says Lawrence. "Water finds its own level at some point. The idea is the pleasure of it. People will find their own matchings, and you learn by playing against stronger people, too.”

Lawrence was moved to suggest the club to the library after reading a column in the Examiner by City Councillor Kathleen Duncan, who asked readers for proposals to create more community awareness of the library, and ways to better use its resources.

“I just simply proposed the chess club and the library took it from there,” says Lawrence. “We’ve had good support.”

For the first meeting, a display of books was set up in the Westmount Room. A bibliography of books on chess in the library’s collection is in preparation.

For Lawrence, the club is a chance for him to rediscover and reconnect with the game. “I played chess when I was younger; now I have more time. It’s good to have a place, especially in this lovely room, to play chess quietly. It’s an excellent use of library resources.”

Chess player Albert Gibert echoes Lawrence’s sentiments. “When I was young, I played a lot," he says. "At 12, 18 ... But then, you know, you move, you go places, you marry, have kids ... Now I have more time.”

Chess players interested in taking part in future meetings of the chess club can contact Outreach Librarian Donna Lach at 514-989-5386, or e-mail her at dlach@westmout.org. Similarly, Lach notes, anyone who has an idea for a club or association that could meet at the library is welcome to suggest it.