Club News

Fox Valley Chess Club To Celebrate Diwali Tuesday Nov. 1

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Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman

 

Thanks to the enthusiasm of a few chess parents, the Fox Valley Chess Club will be observing the Indian tradition of Diwali in a special way, Tuesday, November 1.

The Fox Valley club is the new name of the Aurora Naperville Chess Club -- which meets regularly at the Aurora Turners on Tuesdays at 7:15 pm. The club generally offers open game play in a very family-friendly, kid-welcoming environment.

For Diwali, the club will host a free blitz tournament with trophies for several top designations. Even if you are not a regular -- or member of the club -- and even if you're not from Indian heritage, everyone is invited to this special family-friend and FREE event!

But chess may not be the main attraction on this night...

The event is the brainchild of chess parent (and player!) Shanu Sinha. She calls Diwali -- the festival of lights -- one of the most popular festivals celebrated throughout India. 

Ms. Sinha reports people dress up in their best traditional outfit and light diyas (oil lamps).
 
Often there are family puja (prayers) typically to Lakshmi – the goddess of fertility and prosperity. The diyas symbolically represent the sun, the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life.
 
According to Sinha, Diwali is also a festival of sounds and sights with fireworks and rangoli (artwork outside homes). She says, "the festival is a major celebration of flavors with feasts and numerous sweets, desserts, as well as a festival of emotions" bringing together family and friends amidst magical ritual. 
 
"It is also the period when children hear ancient stories, legends about battles between good and evil or light and darkness from their parents and elders."
 
Ultimately, what is chess if not a battle between lightness and darkness?
 
Sinha continues, "Diwali dates back to ancient times in India, as a festival after the summer harvest in the Hindu calendar month. The most famous legend behind the celebrations of Diwali comes from the Hindu epic, Ramayana.
 
The story shows how good wins over evil. [For brevity -- but not out of disrespect -- the editor has translated this to bullet points:]
 
  • Prince of Ayodhya, Shri Rama, and his wife, Sita, are banished from their home for fourteen years by his father, the King.
  • Rama’s brother Lakshmana goes along to live with them in the forest.
  • One day Sita is kidnapped by the ten-headed demon Ravana who takes her to the island of Lanka.
  • Rama rescues his wife with the help of Hanumana, the monkey warrior.
  • The people of Ayodhya light diyas in rows to guide Rama and Sita back to their homeland from the forest.
  • On their return, Rama is crowned as King of Ayodhya.
[Editor's note: as someone coming off 10 straight days of movies at the Chicago International Film Festival, I do not understand how this has not been made into a Hollywood (or at least Bollywood) blockbuster movie! Please forward your casting suggestions... ]
 
Sinha reports, "It is such a glorious occasion that is not restricted to just one day but is extended to a five-day celebration. All throughout these five days, people are in a festive mood. Adding to the festivity is the colorful display of lights in or outside of their homes."
 
She adds, "Diwali brings a time each year to reflect on all of the positives within our lives — our loving friends and family, our good health, and prosperity — and to realize what it is truly important."
 
This suggests a powerful theme: "The good and virtuous shall always triumph over the evil and spiteful; that within each ourselves, our best, virtuous self will defeat the impulses of ego and tyranny."
 
"Amidst the loud noises and flashy lights of Diwali, we must never forget why we celebrate this festival in the first place."
 
[As someone who celebrates an eight-day festival of lights around Christmas time -- and recently observed the 10-day period of assessing the prior year and the potential for inscription in the book of life for another year -- this editor can certainly relate!]
 
The Turners Club is located at 1335 Mitchell Road in Aurora. There is no cost to attend this event... or to come back for a few sessions. If the club seems like something you might enjoy, it is requested that you become a member with a nominal annual donation.
 
The club is also hosting the Northern Illinois Fall Classic -- open to both adults and scholastic players -- on Sunday, October 30. As of this posting, discounted early entry registration is available. Consult the ICA calendar for complete details.
 
For questions about the Diwali celebration on November 1, about the club or about the October 30th tournament, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (Sorry, due to limited time, the transition to the new club name is not occurring all at once, but we are officially a US Chess affiliate now!).