Anthony Irsik planned on going dipnetting in Kenai yesterday. He gathered his equipment: dipnet, waders, mosquito repellant… and his chess set. Chess set?
Chess is a big part of Irsik’s life. It’s a demanding game. It’s full of nuance and planning.
Irsik is co-leader of the Palmer High Chess Club. He coaches the Colony High Chess Club. And he’s the president of the Palmer Chess Club.
The Palmer Chess Club is a big deal. They meet every Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 203 Kombucha. The evening starts with a game. Irsik tries to pair newer players with the right partner. Someone who will mentor the new player.
People of all ages and experience levels with chess come. They fill every available table some nights.
People watch each other play. They dissect the game afterwards: What went right. What didn’t. Sometimes a member brings a book to share about strategies or end games.
The games take a twist as the evening winds down. They play what Irsik calls “variants.”
For example, one or both players will be blindfolded. Players have to memorize every move to keep track of the game.
In another variant, players pair up to play two against two. One person on each team decides which chess pieces to move. The other person moves the pieces. But that’s all. They can’t tell each other what to do.
The game goes well if the teammates know each other, know how they think, and know the strategies they like.
Irsik’s mother introduced him to chess as a kid. She gave him a children’s book with chess pieces as characters. He doesn’t remember much about the book except that the queen was snooty.
The book included basic information about chess. It sparked an interest. Irsik got serious about the game in college. He remembers losing games. Before that, only his grandpa beat him consistently.
Irsik doesn’t like losing, especially if he thinks he made a dumb mistake. He loses gracefully. He takes his dose of humble pie and moves on. He says, it’s fun pushing pieces with a tight-knit community of chess players.
Irsik is a grad student. He specializes in Alaskan history. He hopes to write a book about the history of chess in Alaska one day.
Watch for the chess tournaments coming up. The Mat-su Freestyle Chess Tournament happens in September. Colony High sponsors a “Pawn-kin Pie” tournament around Thanksgiving. And the Mat-Su Chess Classic happens next spring.
In the meantime, anyone can join the Palmer Chess Club on Tuesdays at 203 Kombucha from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Turns out, Irsik was at the meeting last night. His fishing trip to Kenai got cancelled.
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That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday July 15, 2026.
Photo : Anthony Irsik (seated, left) playing against Grand Master Bryan Smith (standing, right) at the 2025 Bear Paw Festival. Photo Credit: Caroline Huling