Checkmate: Bergen Chess Club Captures Silver

PARAMUS, N.J. – Besting competitors from such institutions of higher education such as Yale University, the members of the Bergen Community College chess club secured second place in the seventh annual Central New York Open hosted in Syracuse, New York by the Continental Chess Association.

Cristopher Martinez, of Garfield; Chanpyo Kim, of Leonia; and Chess Club President Christian Rey, of Bogota, each competed in the three-day tournament. Professor Jack Styles serves as club adviser. 

“The tournament was an eye-opening experience for me as I was able to play and discuss chess with people of all different ages and backgrounds,” Kim said.

Assistant Director of Student Life Greg Fenkart said the club’s success represents a reflection of a Bergen tradition - students have frequently played chess in the main campus student center for nearly 20 years.

“The club has been a highly visible part of campus life in the student center for many years,” he said. “It’s great to see them branching out and representing Bergen so well in an intercollegiate tournament. We're very proud of them.”

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.