Chess comes to Feria 2018 ... Why?

Feria board member Roberto Serrano with chess kids

When you come to the Feria in 2018, you’ll see tables of kids playing chess. A natural question would be: What does chess have to do with Mexican folk art? And, like most of the best things in life, the story takes some unravelling.

Playing chess in the Ajijic Plaza on Sundays at 1pm

It started three years ago when Roy Quiriconi, a chess enthusiast, met Roberto Serrano, a community activist, Feria Board member, and shoe merchant (Flexi Stores on the Ajijic plaza and in Chapala). Out of that meeting came the idea of teaching local children to play chess and Roberto came up with the name HuaraChess because it incorporates the idea of community, coming together, unity, and brotherhood with the ancient game of chess. Roy donated a several chess sets, the Lake Chapala Society donated space and some sets and the HuaraChess Club was launched.

Chess, a board strategy game, originated in India in the 7th century and the pieces took on their present shape and powers in Spain in the 15th century. However, it wasn’t until recently that chess was recognized as a significant way to develop intelligence and thinking skills. Recent studies have linked the playing of chess to better performance in schools and better problem solving skills. In spite of that, kids seem to like it.

They also play Saturday at noon at LCS

When the club first started on noon on Saturdays at LCS, it was mainly for children. However, it started to be very popular, so now you can find people of all ages, locals and immigrants, in the Ajijic plaza at 1 pm on Sundays, learning chess, playing chess, having fun together. When they started the club, Roberto didn’t know how to play, now he is an avid player and helped launch the first tournament where 120 people competed in age-related classes. The club plans to hold another tournament early next year.

Tournament Winner

Mentors and volunteers are always needed. And, you can like the club on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HuarachessAjijic/   If you would like to know more about the Chess club, please contact Roy Quiriconi at royquiriconi at gmail.com. 

So, why will the club be playing chess at the Feria? Because the Feria is about more than Mexican folk art. It’s about bringing people together, supporting folk artists around Mexico, supporting the local community, supporting kids. Some kids love art so the Feria helps support the LCS Children’s Art Program. However, some kids are not into art, so giving them a place to play and learn at the Feria seems like a great idea.

It's part of the Feria's mission to be "more than a feria."

Tournament organizers and volunteers