(above, l-r) Second place: Nicholas DiCrescenzo – Fishawack, Troop 25; First place: Josh McDonald – Raritan Valley, Troop 90; Third Place: Paul Mild – Watchung Mountain, Troop 73
Scout Chess Tournament held in Florham Park
Submitted by Peter Nicolas
The Patriots’ Path Council Chess Club held its First Annual Chess Tournament on Saturday, April 29, 2023. The Florham Park Library being centrally located and the Akhoury Room being ideal for the tournament the Council decided to hold the tournament in a location within a half hour drive of most of the troop members.
Dave Setzer, longtime Florham Park resident, involved with Scouts for many years, and a strong supporter of chess, commented that “The BSA tournament was a terrific success. As always, Tom Andrea is a master chess tournament director. It was 4+ hours of chess and fun for all, including the parents.”
There were 20 players from various NJ towns and troops who competed.
Scout Josh McDonald, of Raritan Valley, Troop 90, earned the 1st place trophy as he won all 5 of his matches. Nicholas DiCrescenzo of Fishawack, Troop 25, and Paul Mild – Watchung Mountain, Troop 73, each won 4 matches and took the 2nd and 3rd place trophies.
Each player had 20 minutes on their clocks, provided by the Council for the match. Matches started at 11:30 a.m. and scouts played up to 5 matches each in this non-rated chess tournament.
Chess has been growing and has become the 7th most popular merit badge that isn’t required to earn Eagle Scout. There are a total of 135 Merit Badges. The game (many would say “sport”) helps develop concentration and patience and teaches strategy, tactics, and sportsmanship that can transfer to many other things in life. A bonus is that it activates both sides of the brain, and can increase a person’s intelligence coefficient. And simply, it’s an opportunity to socialize and to have fun.
The Patriots’ Path Council Chess Club has monthly online tournaments using the Chesskid.com website. Members are provided with a basic logon to the site. The Chess Club also holds occasional in-person meetings.
Joining the Patriots’ Path Chess Club is simple, visit:https://247scouting.com/forms/?OrgKey=BSA358&id=1577 and anyone interested in learning more may also email Tom Andrea at ppccc.ta@gmail.com or call 973-224-1395.
