After being in the state tournament two years in a row, Mount Carmel’s chess team is preparing for another run this fall. 

The team practices every Monday and Thursday and is working hard to remain competitive against some of Illinois’ top schools. Last year, the chess team ranked 90th out of the 128 teams in state. Dr. Jon Berry, coach of Caravan chess, thinks that things will be different this year.

“My goal for our conference is that we finish second and go to the state meet,” said Dr. Berry. “I’d like to finish at the sectionals in the top five, which is possible, and then go to the state.” 

Part of why Dr. Berry thinks this comes from the growth of the team. The chess team has grown in size at MC over the years in terms of players. Students play both in the club and on the competitive team, and the practices are held at the same time. The club team gives any students at any level a chance to play, while the competitive team plays in the Catholic League matches and state qualifiers. 

“We practice on Mondays and Thursdays,” said Dr. Berry. “Basically, anybody who wants to come out and play chess can play chess.”

Players on the team say it is more than just a competition.

“Chess be fun, low-key,” said returning player junior Aaron Hyler, “We’ll be joking about each other [during practices].” 

While Hyler likes how fun it is, another teammate, junior Gabriel Valerio, thinks about chess more deeply.

“I saw that chess is a way to build connections with other people,” said Valerio. “Especially when you’re in a new environment, it’s important to join clubs and expose yourself.” He sees chess as more than just being able to connect with other people, though. It can be used in daily life.

“Chess goes beyond just a board game,” said Valerio. “It teaches you that the moves that you make and the decisions you make can alter the position, in this case, which is your life.” 

For some players, chess is about working the mind.

“You have to use your brain 100% of the time,” said sophomore Hunter Hawkins. “It’s just a really smart game, and I just love that.” 

Hyler, Valerio, and Hawkins–all returning players–agree that this year’s roster has more potential.

“Our first three boards were the best, and then the rest were kind of like mediocre,” said Hyler of last year’s squad. “I think now we have a little bit more in depth, and we’re kind of even out.”

MC plays its first competition, which will be a blitz tournament in two weeks, then after that, weekly conference matches through the fall. While MC has held its own against larger schools, there is still the challenge of getting players to play during the winter because of sports overlap.

“If I have eight guys who can consistently come in January and February, I am pretty confident that we’ll go to state,” said Dr. Berry.

The team is ready for another season and welcomes more MC students to join up.

“Even if you’re already in a club or something, just come on in and play a couple of games,” said Valerio.