The National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) Chicago campus invites local players to attend its newly created chess club Wednesdays from 6 to 8:30 PM. The club meets on the first floor of the UNAM Chicago building, 350 W. Erie St. in River North.
Based in Mexico City, UNAM has a strong tradition of supporting chess. The university has an on-campus chess center offering courses in recreational and competitive chess, and in 2010 it hosted an international chess festival that featured simultaneous exhibitions by Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov. The university’s goal is “that all of UNAM plays chess and that every _plantel_ [college within the university] has a teacher,” said Astrid Martín del Campo, president of the University Chess Association at UNAM. “This way, the seedbed will grow.”
UNAM Chicago has formed its chess club as an extension of the university’s mission of support for chess. The club is open to everyone, at all levels of play. Drop-ins are welcome, and there is no fee to participate. USCF Expert Honorius Constantin will be on hand to
provide advice and analysis. Spanish language learners will have the opportunity to practice their conversational skills.
For more information, call (312) 573-1392, ext. 15, or e-mail unamchicago@chicago.unam.mx