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8 Squared Chess club was founded in January of 1999 by Stanley Salas and Neil Perkins. As both
competitive and recreational players, Stan and Neil recognized the need for a new chess club in the greater Fayetteville area.
Upon inception, the club attracted a diverse membership including students, soldiers and citizens. 8 Squared Chess has
attracted chess players of diverse strenghs from beginners to experts. The club met weekly and played both speed chess
and over the board games. In less than a year, the club grew to over 100 strong with 36 USCF members. 8 Squared
Chess purchased from membership revenues several chess sets and a clocks as well as a limited equipment to provide chess lessons.
The club sponsored a scholastic chess program at the Sports Center in summer of 1999. The program involved comprehensive
instruction as well as individual tutoring. The scholastic chess program concluded with a tournament in which trophies
were awarded to all the participants. The club continued to expand and attract new members throughout 2000. In
late 2001 Stan was deployed to the Balkans, and Neil maintained and managed the club. In 2001 club membership waned
and Neil Perkins had to depart Fayetteville to persue his doctorate in Statistics. 8 Squared Chess was inactive for
an 18-month period.
| Neil Perkins instructing basic chess lessons |
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| The Sports Center, Fayetteville, NC (summer 1999) |
In early 2003 the club became
active again. The meetings moved to Barnes and Noble bookstore on Morganton Road adjacent to the Old Navy store.
The club meets from 7:30 to 11:00 PM on Monday nights and since June 2004 also meets on Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 PM (during
the summer only). The Club has seen a resurgent in memberships since Stan's return from Afghanistan and anticipates
a robust future membership. A present problem is that 8 Squared Chess cannot use the facilities at Barnes and Noble
during the holiday season (November and December); therefore the club is not active during these months.
Future Plans for 8 Squared Chess includes, to continue to promote the
game of chess in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg area, find a location where the club can conduct activities all year long, conduct
tournaments and form a chess team to represent the city of Fayetteville in statewide tournaments.
| James Madison H.S. chess lub 1983 |
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Stanley Salas ( President of James Madison H.S. Chess Club 1982-1983) and Simon Yelsky (USCF Chess Master)
preparing for the NYC High School chess championship
| The 1982-83 James Madison H.S. Chess Team |
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| This is James Madison's H.S. strongest in the school's history |
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