Annual Day of Chess Returns to Jasper

Chess players of all levels gathered to test their skills at Saturday’s event in Jasper. 

The Dubois County Museum’s annual Day of Chess took place over the weekend. This event, like the museum itself, is a treasure of Dubois County, while the museum provides the venue. The event itself is hosted by one man who provides all the boards and pieces and does the setup - including gathering players from across Dubois County, ranging in skill level from beginners to players who have finished high in state finals. Who would do all that work, you ask? Joe Schoenbachler, better known as “Swampy.” WITZ was in attendance on Saturday to find out more. 

When asked what qualities young people could derive from learning the game of chess, Swampy said there was a myriad of benefits. “Well, first of all, it’s entertaining. And it helps you to think logically. If you can understand how the game is played and do the thinking on how to beat your opponent, it’s very beneficial.” 

The event itself has grown into its current form over the last seven years. “The first year we had it…we called it a tournament, and it turned a lot of people off because they actually thought it was going to be a structured tournament where everybody is playing round robin. You know, you lose two games, you’re out of the tournament. And most of these guys just wanted to sit down and play someone that doesn’t look like a television screen.”  

Swampy, whose love of chess goes back decades, says one man changed the face of the game. “And so after Bobby Fisher won grand master, everybody and their brother was playing chess. Well, that was kinda pretty good for me. Because I was good enough, I was beating everybody, because they were just moving pieces. And then all of a sudden, I got into a couple federation tournaments, and I held my own - until when I got down to the last twenty-five percent of the people. Then I started meeting the people that were… well, that live and breathe it. I don’t. I got too many other hobbies.” 

Among those other hobbies is working with the Boy Scouts, where Swampy teaches the chess merit badge. But whatever he’s doing, Swampy’s dedication remains firmly planted in sharing the love of the game and the joy of competition. His own personal chess philosophy is printed clearly across his chest: “If you look at my shirt, it says ‘I have never lost a game of chess. I win or I learn.’ I’ve been learning a lot here lately!” While this year’s Annual Chess Day at the Dubois County Museum has already come and gone, next year's is right around the corner – and it’s always a great time to learn. 

To contact Swampy or the Dubois County Museum about some of their other great events, you can visit duboiscountymuseum.org. 

 - By Drew Hasselbring