CHECK MATE: Bathurst City Library assistant Esther Dean promoting today’s chess tournament with a giant set which could be a sign of things to come as moves are underway to establish a larger than life chess board in the library forecourt. Photo: BRIAN WOOD 061114chess
CHESS Wars are coming to the Bathurst City Library today.
The inaugural tournament could be a precursor to an initiative that is all about the attitude – big is best.
Bathurst Regional Council are investigating to determine if a giant chess board could be feasible as another attraction in the forecourt at the library and gallery precinct.
The recent addition of the Redjar Redbottle sculpture purchased by council from last year’s the Sculpture By The Sea, sets an ideal platform to turn the area into something special.
There is already talk that if the front brickwork and shrubbery, which blocks the forecourt from Keppel Street, was removed it would open up the area and make it more appealing for members of the general public.
Bathurst City Library’s John Comerford said it could be based on a similar initiative as the highly successful one at Burwood Park in Sydney.
The moves come with more than 20 people registered to take part in today’s Chess Wars competition at the library. Entry was available across three age group categories, with trophies on offer for the victors.
“We thought it would be a good idea to help get the kids away from the computer on to something real life that makes them think. We’re calling it Chess Wars,” Mr Comerford said.
“Competition will be in the library meeting room. It’s being held in conjunction with the Bathurst Chess Club who will act as supervisors. They will also have their top players there if anyone is game to take them on.”
Mr Comerford said council’s engineers have been asked to look into the feasibility of installing the giant chess board as a permanent feature.
“You could hire the pieces from the library,” he said. “It would be a great talking and meeting point and fits in perfectly with the culture that is being developed down here in Keppel Street. It’s very popular at Burwood and I think it would be a hit in Bathurst.”
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