By Kyle Lappin

Chess and coffee lovers are in for a surprise! Every Friday night and Saturday morning is Chess Night at a hip and stylish coffee shop in downtown Portland. Long time Portlander Reggie Groff became friends with Corey Tracy when he began teaching him how to play chess in the back seating area of Coffee By Design. They made this a regular thing. One night, by coincidence, Kathy Vilnrotter came into the establishment and met the two playing chess. This was a happening of fate at its finest. Everywhere Kathy has lived, she has attempted to start a chess club. She made the move from New York to Portland a year ago, and it was a good thing she did, because the community needs groups like these.

She loves being here and supporting the owners of Coffee By Design, as it is not your average coffee shop. “Everybody who comes in here is awesome,” she says. “It is a motley crew of awesome.” The atmosphere is relaxed, and the games move at a friendly, conversational pace. You can be as competitive as you want, but with the great personalities paired with great coffee and pastries, you will be forced to sit back and enjoy life’s precious moments.

Left to Right: Kathy Vilnrotter, Reggie Groff, and Corey Tracy at Coffee By Design. Photo courtesy of Kyle Lappin.

I sat down to play a game with Kathy, being an avid chess fan. She started the game off by holding out two fists, and the color of the pawn I chose determined my color for the game. This also dictates who goes first, so it’s a 50-50 chance. Unsurprisingly, I was defeated in our first game. We played a second game and I had Kathy cornered. I thought for sure I was going to win! Of course, this was a mistake in judgment. One has to be quick to checkmate, as she managed with what pieces she had left to checkmate me in only a few turns.

Commentaries from regulars in the shop include:

“In a world full of trends, Kathy is a classic, she never goes out of style.”

“This is where memories are created: memories of the game, memories of the atmosphere, and the people.”

Those who are into this brain game should come down and check it out. This is the place to learn and develop your skills. Life is a lot like chess: One must methodically plan three moves ahead, and attempt to predict the outcome, as well as predict the moves your opponent is planning. In terms of life, the opponent would be any challenges or antagonists in your story of success. Stay golden, folks, and keep your dreams and brains tuned in.