Interested in commanding an army, even though they may be molded plastic? It may be time to live out your dream, because chess team is welcoming new members.

The chess team meets every Tuesday after school. At the most recent practice those present for the chess team included Sung Woo Jang, Mike Kim, Wendy Bae, Laura Koo, Eileen Shin, Mooyoung Jung, Sammy Knight, Chelsea Lee, Aaron Kyun, Jun Cho, Eric Seo, Jin Kim, Sam Kweon, Chelsea Lee, Younguk Shin, and Eric Cho, Minjae Kim.

This group includes the largest number of girls to have joined the team in its most recent configuration.

Don Frisby, who originally started the club, continues to lead the team.

HyunJun (Jun) Cho, senior, first joined his sophomore after being invited by former Cotter student Daniel Kang. He has been a member for three years, “I [joined because I] like to play strategic games such as chess and starcraft. Not only have I learned how to plan and read opponents idea, and to wait until opponent is trapped,” Jun said.  “Chess gives us time to think about ourselves. Also, it develops the strength for overcoming our problems.”

During practices, they usually talk about recent news concerning world chess classics and new strategies. Also, they play chess.

Yoojin (Laura) Koo, a new member this year, decided to join with fellow classmate Eileen Shin, who she usually competes with in the dorms during their free time. She said joining was a good idea, because it helped her learn more about chess, such as castling and different ways of opening.

Mr. Frisby, who has coached for the past six years, can be found every Tuesday after school in RB202. He is always ready to help people learn the game. Frisby informs players of various ways to start or improve your technique. Not only does Frisby coach the team, he also takes the club to tournaments in places such as Rochester, and various places in Wisconsin.

Frisby is dedicated to raising club money for an overnight tournament that will take place in Minneapolis. The best way to do this would be for the chess club to recruit more members.

New members are always welcome, and will be greeted with smiling faces as you walk through the doors.