Nick Helten
Published: April 9, 2009

Dubuque – Tucked in the corner of the Carnegie-Stout Library sits a group of rather focused men. What brings them together this Saturday morning is one of the most storied board games in history, Chess.

Despite playing it for decades now, Dubuque Chess Club organizer Earl Zismer is still excited at the prospect of a new gamer.

“I find it fascinating; no game is ever the same. They start out the same, but after the first three or five moves it is a totally different game every time,” said Zismer.

This fascination brings Earl and others to club meetings four times a month. Though it isn’t the most enthralling for some, it is a game one can learn from.

Longtime participant, Paul Goldstein, hopes some of his younger players find value in the game he did.

“Chess can teach a lot of things I think. It can teach patience, planning ahead, and thinking before you move,” siaid Goldstein.

That kind of diligence is the trait of a Dubuque chess player.

The town was once a well-known hub of chess activity and Earl is more than willing to share his knowledge of the club’s founder Louis Paulsen.

“From the research that I have done, he was one of the great chess theorists, and a player ranking among the world’s best half-dozen in the 1860s,” said Earl.

While none of these dozen men are at Paulsen’s level it doesn’t mean it doesn’t mean that can’t continue to get something out of the game they love.

“That’s one of the things I find fascinating about the game, is that you can always learn. I’ve been learning a little bit year after year,” said Zismer.

“The club has been great. We are supportive of anyone who wants come down and learn to play,” said Goldstein.

The club says there are always different kinds of players at all skill levels of play and offers anyone to come down and learn.

The club meets every third saturday at 9 am and wednesday at 7 pm every month in the Carnegie-Stout library in downtown Dubuque.

Nick Helten can be reached at nick.helten@lctv13.com