World's biggest chess set is back and growing the game
When Dr. Bill Taylor started planning the 'Giant Chess Set Project' in Medicine Hat nearly 20 years ago, he didn't know just how much of an impact the outdoor board would have on the community.
Fast forward to 2021, and the jumbo set is still entertaining people in the Hat and serving as a meeting place for many locals in its 16th season.
"It has promoted the game in our community. It will never be mainstream like baseball or hockey in our community or some of the other sports that are well-played, but it will always maintain some interest," said Taylor.
Taylor, a diehard chess enthusiast and the president of the Medicine Hat Chess Club, has been a strong advocate of growing the game in the city since the mid 1980's.
After a long planning process, he had finally completed the first set in 2005.
In 2019, the board was expanded to 19ft, 4in on each side to claim the title of world's biggest chess set in the Guinness Book of World Records.
"It's hard to believe when you're holding something like that (world record certificate). You're hoping for it, but it's wonderful when it's in your hands," said Taylor.
Throughout the years, the giant chess set has seen a number of grandmasters grace the board and has even played host to fundraisers, dance competitions and an annual jazz events since 2007.
The set reopened to the public on Tuesday and is available to play for free between 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday to Saturday.
"When this chess set opens up, it's kind of a rite of passage that summer's arriving. It's just great to drive downtown and see people active and engaged and using this chess set, it's fantastic," said Medicine Hat City Counsellor Jamie McIntosh.
The set was made mostly by hand in Indonesia and each piece is made of solid teak wood weighing up to 55 pounds. In total, the set weighs more than 800 pounds.
The entire project cost roughly $50,000 to first get up and running, and a significant chunk of change is invested in the set each year for maintenance and repairs.
The project is funded through the generosity of numerous local sponsors and contributors.
The set is maintained by the CORE Association, a local non-profit organization that offers support and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
This Toronto restaurant is no longer accepting tips. Here's how it's going
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff – tipping is no longer accepted.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
What new auto insurance reforms will mean for Ontarians, if they get introduced
Ontario has among the highest rates for auto insurance premiums in Canada -- just below Alberta and Nova Scotia -- however, the introduction of an insurance reform in the provincial budget could soon lower prices.