LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Library Hosts First Ever Chess Tournament


Jack Liao Photo Cathy Tyson

Several residents answered the call to be part of the Lafayette Library's first ever Chess Tournament on July 25. This free event for players of all skill levels and ages drew many of the "regulars" from the library's Chess Club that meets once a month along with a handful of newcomers.

Rebekah Brainich, Library Assistant, Teen Services, said that although no future tournaments are scheduled at the moment, "it was popular enough that we probably will do it again soon."

The tournament couldn't have come to fruition without the help of Farhad Azimzadeh, a former professor at Lamar University with a doctorate in Civil Engineering. Every third Saturday of the month, he volunteers his time to teach chess to beginning and intermediate players as well as offer homework help at the library.

"When I moved to Moraga about 10 years ago, I helped some children at the Moraga Commons to play chess as teams. I have a dream of creating local chess teams, who can explain their ideas to their teammates in a short amount of time. I would like to add more collaboration and teamwork to the game of chess," said Azimzadeh, who learned to play at the age of twelve.

About five years ago he started the chess program at the Lafayette Library, and has continued to think strategically with ambitious future plans. "I would like to grow my tutoring/mentoring help into a community-based tuition-free University. So when I retire in next 10-15 years, I have my teaching hobby lined up for me. The community-based tuition-free University that I have in mind will be a hybrid of on-line and on-land University with no fees, focusing on the needs of the community."

Free chess instruction for beginning through intermediate players is offered every third Saturday of the month from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. on a drop in basis. Azimzadeh also gives homework help on the third Saturday of every month from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call the Lafayette Library at (925) 283-3872.