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For many students, college offers an opportunity to try things they have never had the opportunity to do before.
Freshman business major Anthony Zabiegalski heard about the chess tournament held by West Virginia University’s Russian club two weeks ago and decided to give it a shot.
"I never played before, so I went out and bought a chess board," he said.
"I lost my first two games, but I beat my roommate in my last game."
The Russian club held its second annual chess tournament Wednesday night in the Mountainlair to help raise money to send items needed in Russian orphanages.
For novice players like Zabiegalski, winning isn’t first priority.
"I don’t think I’m going to win, but I’ll learn something," he said. "It’s nice to be able to help out people in need."
The tournament is set up in a traditional single-elimination bracket, and approximately 20 players were signed up. A $10 donation was required to enter the tournament.
"Last year, we raised about $1,000, and sent five suitcases full of donations," said Jen Lyall, secretary of the Russian club and junior dual Slavic and Eastern European studies and Russian studies major.
The suitcases, which are filled with toiletries and small gifts not available to the orphans, cost nearly $250 in postage, said Faith Pirlo, president of the Russian club and senior Slavic and Eastern European studies, international studies and Russian studies major.
"It has been tougher to get donations this year because of the economic situation," she said. "Last year we realized that the money from our bake sales wasn’t going to cover it, so we decided to try chess."
Chess was chosen because it is a popular pastime in Russia, which has produced chess world champion Gary Kasparov and current chess world champion Vladimir Kramnik.
The suitcases will be sent at the beginning of next month, and students interested in helping pack the cases can attend the "Stuff a stocking, Stuff A suitcase" event hosted by the club in the Mountainlair food court Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Students interested in joining the Russian club or donating items should contact Pirlo at fpirlo@mix.wvu.edu or bring items to donate to 317D Chitwood Hall.
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