In 2021, a chess club for all ages had just relaunched in the city of Kalamazoo’s Edison neighborhood. At the time, the idea behind the Kalamazoo Premier Chess Club was simple: Use the timeless game to bring people together, offer a safe haven in the face of rising gun violence, and spark conversations about strategy, resilience, and life.
Four years later, the club is still making moves.
“When we first talked, it was just a dream I had,” said Yafincieo “Big B” Harris, who helped with the restart and still co-runs it. “I wanted people to come together, learn strategy, and talk about life while playing a game. Now, it’s become more of a philosophy – a way of life.”
Their club meets weekly at Urban Alliance, at 1009 E. Stockbridge Ave., and attracts a diverse mix of players: children as young as 9, high schoolers looking for a safe hangout, and older community members in their 50s and 60s. On any given night, the room buzzes with laughter, concentration, and conversations that extend well beyond chess tactics.
