Bryan College Club of the Week: Chess Club

Written by Amanda Davis, staff writer

DAYTON, Tenn.– At 5:00 PM every Friday, a group of students near Mercer’s Common Grounds can be seen diligently engaged in a game of wit and endurance: this is The Bryan Chess Club. The faculty member in charge is Dr. Neal Doran, a professor of Biology. The President of the club is Junior Jacob Caplinger, and the Vice President is Junior Jeremiah Fears. 

The Chess Club’s primary goal is to promote a love of chess and foster a friendly environment where one can learn the game and hone their skills. Meetings typically involve members playing games of chess against each other. Each month there is a lesson about a certain aspect of chess strategy. The club is a welcoming environment and the members have a true love of the game.  

Jacob Caplinger, a junior biblical and theology studies major, helped revitalize the chess club and reinstate it as an official club this semester. He encourages students to come at least once and is very interested in teaching people how to play.  “It creates a great space for fellowship with the club and the members that we have,” Caplinger said.

Dr. Daniel Gleason, an Associate Professor of English and regular member of the Bryan Chess Club, often brings his sons to participate in the meetings and enjoys the friendly atmosphere. “Chess has taught me how to think from somebody else’s point of view,” Dr. Gleason said. He believes “people can take comradery” from the chess club from their shared experiences.

The community and the chance to improve her skills is what drew Hannah Brown, a freshman double History and Creative Writing major, to join the chess club. “The little community of chess people genuinely wish to help each other improve and are very friendly and helpful,” Brown said.

The Bryan Chess Club is always open to new members and is a club with almost no commitment. Students can come to meetings even if they have never played chess and still learn from and enjoy the community.

Amanda Davis is a freshman communications major at Bryan College. She is a Kansas City Native and loves reading, writing, and photography.