Former Chess Club Member Had His Own Style

Courtesy Jackson Citizen Patriot

William F Bayliss (1943-1999) died at the age 55 and was a colorful guy who liked to impersonate other members while we played chess at the club when it was at the YMCA and at other players homes on weekends or holidays. Bill was great at sounding like other members through his voice and in his facial expressions and mannerisms. I always told Bill he should have done some Standup Comedy. Bill took many classes at Michigan State where his wife worked as an English Professor. I’ll never forget the “burning leaves” smell emanating from his huge pipe hanging from his mouth. When he concentrated on a move he would take his finger and twist it in his hair. By the end of a long hard fought game his hair looked as though he had stuck his finger in a light bulb socket. Bill was gregarious and boisterous. You could hear him talking to someone 500 feet away. Every time Bill came over to Gario’s house he would take the USCF game of the month and set up the first 4 or 5 moves then make us play one side. This was after he had studied the article for days and we had no idea he would spring it on us, so he had a blast refuting our moves until we figured out the correct variations. He died of a heart attack while trying to lift a boulder out of his vegetable garden. I will sure miss his fried cauliflower and cheese, they went good with a hard fought game. -*Jimio*

Posted by Jimio in Uncategorized

1 comment

Rudy , Doug and Jimio visit “All the King’s Men Chessclub” in Warren MI

Rudy in the All the King’s Men Chess Library

This Chessclub was incredible and had a ton of chess books and sets and boards and clocks. I think they supplied all the schools in the Detroit area so there were a large amount of Gallant Knight type sets and vinyl roll-up boards in many colors. I was especially interested in the old photographs on the walls in every room. Photos of many famous Grandmasters and some not so famous dating back into the late 1800′s. I bought a blue vinyl board and I think Rudy bought some chessbooks. We played a few blitz games with the regulars there which numbered about 8 players. I left my email address and told some guys how to find our Jackson Club at Cottage Inn so we might see a few vistors in the coming months ahead. After Rudy, Doug and I left ” All the King’s Men” Chessclub, we saw the Heidelberg Project which is artworks plastered all over old homes in a few blocks near Detroit. It was great but the years have taken their toll on many of the artifacts on the houses and in the yards. I wish I could have taken pics in the 1st year of the Heidelberg Project. After our encounter with the strange house-art we visited some old bookstores and 2 used record stores. Rudy and I found some great old rock LPs. I picked up CSNY at Filmore East and Humble Pie Smokin and Aqualung and I Robot plus Rare Earth Ecology among others like a Blues Magoo LP ” Psychedelic Lollipop” for only 25 cents! It plays pretty well only a few scratches. All the other LPs wee $1 each at Solo Records at 30118 Woodward in Royal Oak MI. After all our running around we ate at a Middle-Eastern Restaurant. We all has falafa and humus and lentil soup. It was very good. Went well with my hot tea. This is Jimio saying *See you at the Club*

Posted by Jimio in Uncategorized

Reply

Chess Books Last a Lifetime

Wonderful Donation to our Chess Club

During our Club Meeting on Thursday we were all playing chess and watching each others games when all of the sudden Jay tells us some person just walked up to the counter and handed the employees a paper sack full of chess books and said it is for the Jackson Chess Club. I couldn’t believe such a beautiful sight! Over 2 dozen chess books on openings, middlegames and endgames by famous authors of their time. If you notice in the photo that newspaper article on chess. It’s by Bill Bayliss who had a weekly column in the Jackson Citizen Patriot. I have an old clipping from a game he published of mine in the Sunday Cit Pat June 26,1977 and I will post it in a few weeks. This chess book donation couldn’t have happened at a better time also, since we have many young players just learning the finer points of the royal game. Of the 16 players in attendance that night, 6 were young players. We have about 4 female players too so its not just a man’s game. Women have been getting much stronger and it wont surprise me if we see a Women World Chess Champion beating a Man. Many of our members help the younger ones with chess lessons and an instructional game or 2. I love to play them and discuss theory with each move to show the reasoning behind every move. I wish I knew who donated these chess books, the Chess Club would buy them a Pizza and start a tournament in their name. But I know many people are just satisfied knowing they did a great thing for our community. To whoever did this – *We thank you from the bottom of our heart and board and chessmen *

Posted by Jimio in Uncategorized

Reply

Gario, Jimio and Doug visit the Lansing Chess Club

Lansing Chess Club

Gario,Jimio and Doug payed a visit to the Lansing Chess Club a few weeks ago. It is located at corner of Capital and Shiawassee Streets, part of Lansing Community College. They had a small turnout, only 2 players at first then another member showed up at 8:30 pm. Then a new guy showed up and wanted to know about any upcoming tournaments and one of the members explained the time controls and all the fees and dues associated with the event. We had some nice games and at the end a political discussion broke out. Well more like a mild argument! :-] All in all a nice time and need to go back some time in the near future. This is Jimio saying: *Cheers to Chess*

Posted by Jimio in Uncategorized

Reply

Chess Member from the YMCA Days pays a visit

Jay vs Gario

Jay who I remember from my YMCA days at the Jackson Chess Club came down to our location at Cottage Inn Pizza and said Hi to us all. Jay and I have played a few rated games in that small cigarette, cigar and pipe smoke filled room at the YMCA. Also many blitz 5-minute games. It must be 26 years since we last played. Both our hair has greyed a bit and Jay lost a little on top but all in all none the worse for wear. Its been at least 12 years since I started coming again to the club in June 2012. A lot of people have come and gone but still a few come back once in a while to say hi, or play a few casual games. It’s nice to catch up on old times and find out what is happening now. -Jimio

Posted by Jimio in Uncategorized

Reply

Merry Christmas from Jackson Michigan Chess Club

Justin – Sam – Jarred – Jacob

Anissa’s 3 of 5 Boys huddled around the Christmas Tree at the Club with Sam. Was a good tournout with 11 members. Heard some great stories and went over some rather intriguing variations. Cottage Inn had all the decorations up on the walls and on the ceiling. I left a little early to take in some improv music at The Fourth Wall which did a fine job on Arlo Guthrie, Lynard Skynard and Grand Funk. The Chess Club also has some good classic rock coming from the speakers which helps me think. :-] This is Jimio saying *Merry Christmas*

Posted by Jimio in Uncategorized

Reply

Jackson Chess Club is Growing

Doug vs Rick

Rick is our newest member of the Jackson Chess Club. I think he and Doug are getting serious because they are trying to purchase a tournament size chess set and board. That would be a King about 3.5″ to 3.75″ tall and board squares about 2.25″ wide. I’m sure some place in town might have a set this size but if not, there are places online where you can order them. Or you could drive to Lansing or Ann Arbor to buy them from a few chess masters or experts who sell sets, equipment and books. The price of gas tho maybe more expensive than postage and handling :-]

Posted by Jimio in Uncategorized Tags: jackson michigan chess club

Reply