Courtesy photo Conor Fee, left, and Freddie Shaw face off during a chess tournament at Holy Name Catholic School on June 3. This was the first tournament held by a new Holy Name-based chess club.

ESCANABA — A new Holy Name Catholic School-based chess club for students aged 6-12 held its first tournament recently. Dr. Fred Shaw, the club’s organizer, said things have been going well for the club since it was established in November 2016.

The chess club’s first meeting, which took place on Nov. 30, was attended by 54 students. Subsequent club meetings were held each Wednesday, and attendance at these meetings never dropped below 35 students.

Shaw, who works as a cardiologist at OSF St. Francis Hospital and Medical Group, said he chose to set up the club at Holy Name due in part to his family’s ties to the school.

“I have three kids who attend,” he said.

On June 3, the club held its inaugural Holy Name Chess Tournament. Shaw said 22 students participated in this tournament.

“I think it went very well … the parents helped out and supported, (and) the kids enjoyed themselves,” he said.

Shaw said that he was glad to help local students learn how to play chess. He noted the game can help students learn how to focus for extended periods of time and how to deal with losing.

“They take their losses graciously,” he said.

Shaw also said that some of the students involved in the club have gone on to teach their friends and families how to play chess.

“That’s very rewarding, as well,” he said.

While most of the club’s members are from Holy Name, Shaw said that participation in the club is not limited to Holy Name students.

“We are open to anyone who wants to come and join us,” he said.

Shaw also said he would like to create additional opportunities for students in the area to play and learn about chess. He said that he hopes to establish a Upper Peninsula-wide chess tournament for students aged 6-12, and that he has begun to gauge interest in summer chess club meetings.

“If I find people are interested, I would certainly make time to do that,” he said of the latter initiative. Students interested in participating in chess club meetings this summer can contact Shaw at william.f.shaw@osfhealthcare.org.