A short history of the Boise Chess Club 1894-today

The Boise Chess Club is the oldest club in the state. Early Boise Valley homesteader Tom Davis was instrumental in the founding of the first organization that could probably be called the Boise Chess Club and was elected its first president. You may not have recognized Tom Davis' name; however, all residents of Boise have heard of his wife - Julia Davis - who has a major downtown park named after her.

The Boise Club met for many years at the downtown YMCA and Boise State University. For a time it met in Meridian and shared space with the Boise Bridge Club. The Club was meeting at the Esther Simplot Performing Arts Center when the end came due to a change in building management and liability insurance problems.

Several important chess personages appeared at the Boise Chess Club through its history. Master Weaver Adams came to Boise by train several times after the war and gave lectures and simuls. There were even engraved invitations to his events. George Koltanowski was a friend of early Idaho chess pioneer Charles H Stewart and gave lectures and blindfold simuls in the 1950s. Larry Christiansen had a nationwide simul tour sponsored by Church’s Fried Chicken in 1979 and appeared in Boise. Long time player George Rasor was very proud about his game in that simul and often talked about how he "almost got the master." Yasser Seirawan, John Donaldson and Eric Tangborn also visited Boise from Washington state during their early careers.

The Boise Chess Club played host for many events over the years including the State Open and Closed Championships, Western Idaho Open, and Boise Open. Boise won the Idaho State Team Championship in 1957, 1959 and 1960 and won an impressive four matches out of five against the Reno Chess Club during the 1989-1995 timeline.