TAMA – Rep. Dean Fisher of Montour thought his chess-playing days were over after giving up the mind sport half a century ago following high school. But through his work with the private, non-denominational K-8 Tama-Toledo Christian School, he’s picked up the game again after all these years, leading him to form and organize the new Tama-Toledo Chess Club.

“My dad taught me when I was in fourth or fifth grade, he learned how to play while in the Army Air Corps during World War II,” Fisher told the newspaper in a recent email exchange about the new club and his reasons for organizing it. “When I was in sixth grade in Montour, our math teacher, Mr. Preston, asked if anyone knew how to play – apparently he had just learned the game himself. We played during study hall a lot that year. At first, I could beat him easily, but of course he caught up and we were a good match for a while. I played a lot in high school at STC, too. After high school I never played until recently, so a 50-year gap.”

At the suggestion of teaching assistant Allison Hill, Fisher decided to start a chess club at TTCS which spurred his interest in the game again. From there, he started playing on Chess.com.

“[I] have been enjoying that, but really want to play face to face. The Marshalltown chess club seemed to have fizzled and other clubs are too far away, at least an hour. So I thought, why not try it for the community here in Tama-Toledo?”

The newly formed Tama-Toledo Chess Club is open to everyone – not just TTCS students – and met for the first time on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Tama-Toledo Christian School located at 600 Oswego St. in Tama.

“We are open to kids and adults, (but) children under 12 will need a parent present,” Fisher added. “We will teach newcomers, and provide a place for experienced players as well.”

Perhaps in preparation for the inaugural club night, Fisher further reignited his dormant chess-playing abilities at the 2026 Iowa State Fair last month.

“On a lark, I went to the State Fair chess tournament. I had low expectations for myself knowing it would draw high-ranking players, but thought it would be a good chance just to see how a tournament works. Before the scholastic portion started a 6-year-old kid asked me to play a friendly game, he beat me pretty handily! … In the adult tournament, I got beat out in the first round, but it was fun and a great experience watching the others advance.”

During the first Tama-Toledo Chess Club meeting on Sept. 1, Fisher told the newspaper turnout was great with 25 players in attendance to either learn or play.

“It was a good mix of adults and children from four to five years old up to my 70 years (and a few babes in arms, too),” he wrote in an email. “The players moved around a lot, playing different people, and we had a broad range of skill levels. A couple of young ladies – sisters – in their teens were especially good. I need to buy more chess sets!”

The club’s next meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 15, beginning at 6 p.m. Thereafter, the club will meet the first and third Tuesdays of every month.

“As we go, we may decide to have an ‘adult’ night, but maybe adults can be defined as age 14 and up or so – just so it’s a bit calmer and allows players to focus better,” Fisher added. “I’m also considering doing a tournament soon, just to introduce a little more order and competition. All in all a great night, a lot of games played. I played seven or eight games myself.”

Those seeking additional information are asked to visit the Tama-Toledo Chess Club Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BpcF4Yth8/.

The board has been set. Make your move.