The once-dormant chess club is back in action. After the former president graduated last year, the club was unable to find a new adviser for the upcoming 2023 school year. This is when junior Basem Ali took action to reform the club starting with finding a new adviser. Ali approached building substitute teacher Donald Hightower to fill the position and from there the club formed and grew quickly. 

With both Ali and Hightower having a love and passion for the game of chess, it was no issue to revamp the chess club. Once Ali was appointed the position of club president, members joined quickly. 

“I started chess [club] because I’m very fond of chess,” Ali said. “I wanted to share my passion and help others learn a game that relates to life as a whole.” 

 Hightower and Ali have been a team throughout the process of beginning and running the chess club. Growing up, Hightower was a competitive chess player at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Both having an immense passion for chess made them the perfect duo, according to Ali. 

“Mr. Hightower helped format the club by being as eager as me,” Ali said. “[He] helped push me to spread the word out quicker. Also, Mr. Hightower loved to play chess, [so] he knew the in and outs of the club.”

As a former chess player, Hightower was eager to help Ali as the adviser with the club and has been very involved with the club’s meetings. As a child, Hightower learned to play this “thinking man sport” from mentors such as his uncle. He reflects on how this board game has impacted his life now. 

“[My mentors] always instilled in me the idea of thinking forward,” Hightower said. “Trying to understand that life might be just like a game of chess at times. Knowing how to maneuver any situation you are in could be beneficial for you in the long term.” 

Hightower is now able to live out one of the opportunities he missed as he was unable to join the chess club when he was a student at North.

“Now I get to teach and learn because some of these students are better than me,” Hightower said. “I have a great time playing chess.”

After finding an adviser, all Hightower and Ali needed were members, and once they started coming, they did not stop. 

“The chess club has grown expeditiously,” Ali said. “I couldn’t even fathom the growth this quick, and new people every day telling me they want to join and they want to learn how to play. We love when people come and learn. That’s the whole point of the club, to teach and learn.”

As the chess club grows in members, many new students have joined the club this year including junior Mac Graham. Graham mentions how he enjoys the relaxing and easy-going club culture. 

“It’s not just about the board, it’s about how people interact off the board and I would say that’s where most of the fun comes from,” Graham said. 

Every Monday after school, the club meets in room B315. When playing chess, the two players are able to use critical thinking skills in order to problem-solve and compete against each other. With time to relax after a long school day and indulge in a board game, students are encouraged to spend quality time with one another.

“The social interactions you have in chess, and having to play a social game and a face-to-face game in today’s society is amazing,” Hightower said. “I want as many students as possible to have that experience.”