23 Jan 2013
Staff Writer
T.S. Johnson / Senior Staff Writer
Compared to many other games, such as checkers, chess is a game of complex strategies and planning ahead.
Yesterday afternoon outside the Library Mall, associate professor of biology Douglas Root showed his chess skills while promoting UNT’s chess club.
Not only did Root play multiple games of chess, he played 10 people multiple times and never lost a match.
Opponents sat in an arced semi-circle as Root went from table to table making moves against his challengers while UNT students stood gawking at the chess prowess displayed by Root.
Root’s “simultaneous exhibition” event was created to raise awareness for the UNT chess club as their advisor defeated challengers by the tens, remaining unbeaten said club member and mathematics junior Dale Montgomery.
“I just saw people standing around and for a guy to play 10 people at once is pretty impressive,” theatre sophomore Kevin Howard said. “It’s just cool to see this guy go to work.”
The feat was planned so the chess club could get more exposure.
“We’re just promoting the chess club,” mathematics junior Dale Montgomery said. “We got started last semester and are trying to gain momentum and members.”
The games garnered enough interest to even snag passing students that were headed to different destinations.
“I was just heading to the library and figured I should see how long I could last,” music freshman Mason Jarboe said. “This seemed like something cool to do, so even though I’m getting beat it’s pretty fun.”
Not only his opponents stood in awe, as non-chess players also watched in amazement as the renowned chess player systematically obliterated each volunteer player.
The club currently has 10 members, but is looking for more as it gears up for its upcoming tournament with the Denton High School chess club, Montgomery said.
Members currently meet every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. in the Willis Library on the second level.
For more information on the UNT chess club, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UntChessClub.
