When the COVID-19 restrictions tightened, the Knox Community Chess Enthusiasts (KCCE) at Westfield Knox and Rowville Library were forced to pause play along with the rest of Victorians.
The stimulating social outlet for many retirees and shopping husbands was shut down indefinitely.
Missing his buddies, Eddie Atacador, KCCE founder and volunteer coordinator, called upon Sally Dusting-Laird of Coonara Community House (CCH) to help him reinvigorate the game that had brought such connectedness and solace for the members.
Sally provided a teaching program for all KCCE members to learn how to use the online platform Zoom for continued communication and interaction among the members. She sourced the expertise of Karen George, CCH Program Coordinator and RTO and IT Administrator to facilitate weekly training lessons on “How to Host Zoom”. Eddie, along with fellow KCCE volunteers, Ken Fletcher and Arvin del Rosario, trained on how to use video conferencing and online chess applications.
The first KCCE Chess Talk and Demonstration was held on 2nd September 2020. Attendees were treated to a display of fierce competitive play over an interactive video conference to learn the new skill of online chess gaming.
The virtual Zoom and Chess.com technology may not be a complete substitute for the personal camaraderie previously enjoyed by the KCCE devotees, but the virtual interaction has been a welcome break from life in lockdown.
KCCE appreciates the generous sponsorship of the Knox Council Community Development Fund, the Knox Council Minor Grants program and auspiced by Coonara Community House.
For more information about KCCE, email eddie.atacador@hotmail.com.