How to Play Chess (with a weapon).

Sometimes, chess players fight for real. That’s where fencing comes in.

Ask anyone who loves chess, and you’ll hear how it’s all about the strategy. The right-angle thoughts. And most of all, looking your opponent dead in the eye–smile–and finish him off with a single word.

Checkmate.

Chess has a lot in common with another ancient pursuit. We’re talking, of course, about fencing. What makes chess and fencing so much alike that the latter is often referred to as ‘physical chess’?

Anyone can play. You don’t have to be a classic American ‘jock’ to be a fencer. In fact, you don’t even have to like other sports all that much. To be fair, a few serious jock schools such as Ohio State have great fencing programs. But so does Columbia (which isn’t exactly known for its football team).

Gray matter, matters. Fencers tend to make pretty good grades in school, especially in math and science. They’re often detail-oriented and like debating ideas (or just flat out arguing, like any respectable Type-A would). At the same time, fencers are highly imaginative: It’s not a big leap from moving a knight on a chess board to wielding a saber in your own hand.

It’s not all about winning. Medals are great, but the values that fencers learn are just as important. Respect, camaraderie–and yes, even chivalry. Name another contest where you’re expected to pick up your opponent’s weapon and hand it to him, if he happens to drop it and is suddenly vulnerable to your attack.

Ready for a ‘real’ fight? Join us for Physical Chess Camp throughout June. We’ll combine the game of chess, the sport of fencing–and toss in a few math challenges for good measure. It’s a great way for kids to spend a week of summer vacation. And to see if ‘physical chess’ is the sport they’ve always wanted, but perhaps didn’t know existed. Until now, of course.

For more information or to register for Physical Chess Camp, please visit us at www.olympiafencing.com or call 314-993-9700. Classes fill up fast, so please get in touch, while you’re thinking about it.