In the summer of 2013, a great tragedy happened to MATC’s Chess Club. One of the club’s beloved members and friends Dean Sydlewski passed away from a cardiac arrest. In honor of his life, Sydlewski’s good friend and fellow chess club member Volodymyr Opryshchenko, who is the current vice president, organized and hosted a chess tournament over spring break.
The Dean Sydlewski Memorial MATC Chess Tournament was held on April 18 and featured a variety of MATC students participating in the festivities. Opryshchenko also participated in honor of Sydlewski. “I think we should play in his honor,” said Opryshchenko. The prizes for participating in the tournament consisted of $150 for first place, $100 for second place, $75 for third place, and $50 for fourth place. Opryshchenko placed first in the tournament. Students also received T-shirts for participating. Although they were competing in a tournament, many chess players don’t play for that reason.
Rodrick Wortham, chess club member and future president, mentions that chess isn’t just a game, it can be a stress reliever as well. “It lets you look at life from different perspectives,” said Wortham. “Chess isn’t just a game but it is like a frame of mind.” Chess is not a competitive sport; it can be a way to relieve stress you may have, meet some new people, and learn different ways to play the game. Opryshchenko pointed out that chess can also be a cultural thing as well. “It’s like more than a hobby, it’s like culture,” said Opryshchenko, “because in my country [Ukraine] it is part of the culture.” In the long run, chess is ultimately played for enjoyment. “It’s more than a tournament, it is for fun,” said Opryshchenko.
Opryshchenko believes that by having this tournament he has made Sydlewski very happy looking down from heaven. He also hopes that the students who played chess in MATC continue to get better and even play at four- year colleges. “Chess opens the door … if you go to a university and the university had a chess team, if it is enough why not,” said Opryshchenko. The chess club will continue to thrive and will try to become a true student organization, not just a club.