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The chess club in Washington typically meets every Monday. Charles Moseley, the club’s secretary, said there’s a second group that typically assembles at the senior center in Washington. (Jason O. Boyd | Washington Daily News)

Avanni Richardson, 15, plays chess at the Washington club and also in Greenville. He has a 1,920 rating with a 2,200 rating considered the highest level. (Jason O. Boyd | Washington Daily News)

Among the chess club’s members is Luke Eubanks, 9. While he enjoys playing soccer and basketball, chess is becoming a big part of his routine. (Jason O. Boyd | Washington Daily News)

Washington Chess Club Secretary Charles Moseley said the club participates in some tournaments during the year against clubs from places like Greenville, Wilson and Raleigh. (Jason O. Boyd | Washington Daily News)

(Jason O. Boyd | Washington Daily News)

Chess is a deep-thinking game for those who play it. At the same time, it resembles a sport.

You have your kings and queens, bishops and knights. Strategy usually involves plays ahead within the game and not just from move to move. Plenty of practice is needed to be good, and there are lots of superstars involved in the game.

The Washington Chess Club has been doing all of that for nearly two decades. It was started by John Wehrenberg, who was the club president for many years until his death last August. The group is small but involves people of all ages, from a 9-year-old who describes his love of it along with soccer and other sports to a 15-year-old who is becoming an expert in the sport and others much older who play for the love and competitiveness it brings.

“I just like it because I like to practice and play with my friends sometimes,” said Luke Eubanks, 9, who travels with his dad and stepmom from the Acre Station area. “And I get to play with my brother, and he beats me a lot. So I like to come here and practice and then hopefully get to beat him.”

Avanni Richardson is just 15 and knows the game well. On Jan. 10, he and the Washington team played with a team in Greenville against teams in Wilson and Raleigh in the first John Wehrenberg Chess Tournament. The Washington and Greenville team beat the Wilson and Raleigh team, 6-4. Funds raised from the entry fees are being used to support a youth scholastic entry into the 2025 NC K-12 Chess Tournament, slated to be played in Raleigh on Feb. 28-March 2.

Richardson, who also won the “Wide Open” chess tournament last November that was hosted by the Washington club, received the scholarship. He’s considered the superstar of the club because he plays so well and wins all the time.

“So I went to a chess club in Greenville, and I just learned the rules and got really interested in it,” Richardson said. Yes, lots of practice online and in person, just playing games with each other.”

“I like the strategy, and I think it’s really fun to play.”

The club met at houses a lot before moving into a brick building on 15th Street in front of Oakdale Cemetery and the basketball court in Washington. They’ve been there taking part in games against each other at their current location for about two years.

The club extends in part to the senior center in Washington. Club Secretary Charles Moseley said a few gather on Thursdays to play and learn more about the game. It’s just another way to get it into the minds of others to help it grow.

“It definitely is by word of mouth,” Moseley said of both groups. “I mean, we’ve been doing this thing at the senior center for two years, really, before we realized that this was operational.”

Older players like Moseley, Trey Mason, John Hartman, Shawn O’Neal and Ron Smiley come to the club each week for the competition, a chance to meet others and to catch up on the week’s events. Eubanks and Richardson are two of up to three younger members who are learning and applying that knowledge against other members. So while it’s lots of fun for all of them, it’s also a good learning experience for all involved.

“This young boy is learning,” Moseley said of Eubanks. He’s been playing about a year. He’s obviously developing a passion for it., which may or may not continue. Avanni, that young man is really gifted at this. He regularly sweeps this all up.”

Richardson, who said he’s been playing chess for about four years, is aiming for national success and is quickly moving his way up the ladder.

“Well, my goal is to be a national master before I turn 18, so that would be a rating of 2,200,” Richardson said. “So I would have to gain 200 points. That’s my goal for now.”

So, no matter the level of its members, having fun and learning are two important parts of what makes the club and its members know they are making the right moves.

“If it weren’t fun, nobody would come,” Moseley said.

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