Northwestern State University’s new chess team provides students with the opportunity to participate in student bonding and recreational play on campus. Members meet to play, practice and engage with the campus community. The organization brings together students with different levels of experience and interest in the game.

The chess team was started in 2025 by Aniyah Smith, a junior criminal justice major and president of the organization, who was motivated to create a club for students interested in the game of chess. “When I came to campus for Freshman Connection, I remember them saying there was no chess club. And I thought, you know, that it was probably going to be hard to start one, but I love chess, so I knew it was something I wanted to do. I wanted to be able to play with friends and learn the ways of the game with others and see where it goes from there,” Smith said.

The organization is also working to increase its involvement on campus. Smith has plans for the group to become more active. “We have a lot of plans that are actually in the making right now. Our first plan is to get together as an organization once a month and do something outside of our usual setting. Whether that is handing out flyers, doing a bake sale or maybe even a raffle. Something that will get us going out and connecting with the students,” Smith said.

To some students, the chess team offers more than just a time to play chess with friends. Alex Engstrom, a senior liberal arts major and member of the chess team, shared what he enjoys most about being a member of the team. “My favorite part of being on the chess team is getting the opportunity to meet a wide range of chess players. While chess may just be a game to some, to me, it is a way to learn about other people and their strategies. Everyone plays chess differently, and getting to meet and learn from new people has been a lot of fun,” Engstrom said.

As the chess team continues to grow, members are focused on building consistency and increasing student involvement. The organization aims to create opportunities for its members to learn, build a sense of community and also have fun.