Youth from the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) participate in the fall chess tournament held on Oct. 24, 2025. (Kat Nickola)

As I enter the Kaiserslautern Military Community Center (KMCC) Exchange food court at Ramstein Air Base on Oct. 24, I see it  filled with 56 young people facing off over 28 chessboards. The echoing sounds of diners and BX shoppers created an ambient hum for the silent players, all competing for the love of the game and the chance to take home a trophy.

Chess boards are set, ready for six matches in the KMC Youth Chess Tournament held on Oct. 24, 2025. (Kat Nickola)

The volunteer-run KMC Youth Chess Club hosts these quarterly tournaments for local military-affiliated youth under the age of 19. The tournaments are purposely scheduled to align with DoDEA teacher workdays, allowing for students from all over to participate.

“What I love about chess is you either win or you learn. There are no losers in chess,” says Kaye Travis who organizes the KMC Youth Chess Club and hosts the free tournaments. Travis’s family also provides financial backing for the events, while parent volunteers help the competitions run smoothly.

As another round begins, the kids use phones to scan the QR code on a computer screen. This let them know which seat to take. The online program helps organize and sort all the competitors into a Swiss Tournament non-elimination competition, allowing the participants to play all six rounds.

Youth participate in the Swiss-style chess tournament on Ramstein Air Base. (Kat Nickola)

Rules are reiterated before each match, and Veronica, the club’s emcee gets the kids pumped before counting down. After she announces that “you may begin,” silence falls.

Three chess arbiters oversee the matches, making sure rules are followed and helping to resolve any disputes. Senior Master Sgt. Michael Pawlak is the chief arbiter. “I’m making sure the kids are having fun, and they’re learning good lessons, and they are learning to play appropriately.” Pawlak is also a regular at the weekly chess club meetings where he is a volunteer mentor and chess coach.

Matches range in time. After only a few minutes, I see two competitors sharing a handshake before the winner raises their hand. An arbiter notes the result in the computer system and the kids help reset the board before quietly leaving their seats. Most matches take longer, but soon the seats begin to empty as players either win or learn and leave the tournament space. Once all the pairings have finished the match, results are tallied and another match begins.

Students play chess during the fall KMC Youth Chess Tournament. (Kat Nickola)

After all six matches are complete and the scores are verified, it is time to find out who is taking home trophies.

Back on the mic, emcee Veronica calls the winners while Queen’s “We Are the Champions” plays in the background. 3rd place winner is Augustus C., 2nd place winner is Ben G. and Asher S. takes home 1st place. There are photos taken and cheers for all the winners.

First place winner, Asher S. holds his trophy and ribbon from the fall KMC Youth Chess Tournament. (Kat Nickola)

Second place winner, Ben G. holds his trophy and ribbon from the fall KMC Youth Chess Tournament. (Kat Nickola)

Third place winner, Augustus C. holds his trophy and ribbon from the fall KMC Youth Chess Tournament. (Kat Nickola)

Then, a grocery cart full of pizza is wheeled in, and in a  flurry of activity, the food is eaten, the chess boards are packed up and the tables are moved back into food court position, ready for the incoming lunchtime crowd. It is a well-polished machine.

The KMC Chess Club meets at the Ramstein KMCC Exchange food court weekly on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. Those meetups are primarily attended by homeschoolers in the area, but all are welcome, including adults who are encouraged to drop in to play. Newcomers are always welcome to come to a club meeting before joining the private Facebook group, KMC Youth Chess Club (K-12TH), for updates.

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The club started in 2021 and was organized off base by a homeschooling mom. The group soon grew in popularity and moved their weekly meetings to the BX. When Travis took over, she expanded the club into the community by introducing seasonal events like the quarterly tournaments.

The next community event, Chess with Vets, occurs on Nov. 15, 2025 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the KMCC Exchange food court. All military veterans are invited to come play chess with the club.