What’s buzzing, filled with spirit, and black and white all over? The classrooms used for the Charity Ball Chess Tournament!
Chess may be limited to a two-player game but its values extend to over millions of people. One of the most important skills to become a master at chess is patience, which was essential to the ECB process. Every meeting we had, fundraiser we planned, and donation we acquired gradually contributed towards our end goal. Similarly, every move you make in chess builds up to the desired position to give you the best advantage.
This year, my position in the service committee has been challenging as we have been tasked with many events. The key in maximizing each event to its full potential lies in the intricate details. Without a proper strategy, we may fall short or even overextend our resources in a certain direction. Imagine you defended valiantly on one side of the board, only to have completely ignored your opponent’s other attack and all of a sudden they have 3 Queens!
Service has also reconnected me to one of ECB’s core values: Instant Impact. Recently, I had the opportunity to revisit Hunter Elementary and play games with students. Of course, this meant that I had to challenge several kids in a game of floor hockey. They didn’t enjoy losing, but their smiles after the game truly encapsulated the moment.
I hope to reignite that same joy in the 2nd annual Enloe Chess Tournament. Chess is an intimate way through which we can rediscover ourselves and have fun at the same time. It was a huge joy to host last year’s tournament and I am thrilled to support Charity Ball through Chess again. Now feel free to immerse your spirit in the beautiful 8 by 8 square board!
Riddhik Basu
Standing Committee Officer