The Atmore Chess Club combines the history of one of the world’s classic games with the benefits of modern technology.

Club president Tom Richardson explained that he uses an app on his tablet to record every move that the players make in their games. Then, they can later review those moves and learn from their mistakes.

“It’s really an impressive program,” he said.

Richardson and the rest of the Atmore Chess Club meet every Wednesday and Friday night at The Coffee House, located at 112 W. Ridgeley St. in downtown Atmore. The club meets from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. each night, playing games and enjoying fellowship.

“Right now, the club is just about meeting people and having fun,” said Richardson, who is a corporate business analyst for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

Richardson moved to Atmore from Colorado about a year ago, and the avid chess player then searched online to find a local chess club. However, the closest one that he could find was in Pensacola, and so Richardson decided it would be better to start one in Atmore.

Richardson found another local player, Bart Carpenter, through the website chess.com, and they began meeting to play games each week. Carpenter serves as the club’s vice president. The club has since expanded to typically four players at each session, but often there are more who show up as well.

“Our goal is to have a fun and inviting environment,” Richardson said. “If someone is a beginner, I welcome for them to come and we’ll try to help with strategy and lessons.”

Richardson said that chess is a way for him to relax and keep his brain sharp, and he encouraged everyone to give the game a try.

“Once you learn how the different pieces move, you can pick it up pretty quickly,” he said. “Obviously you can spend years learning the strategy and the correct moves, but that’s part of the fun of playing. A lot of people in the business and finance world are chess players.

“So yes, it is a group of nerds — but they’re successful nerds!”

Watson Bishop of Perdido said he has enjoyed playing chess for years, and was happy that Atmore now has a club.

“I’ve always liked war games,” he said. “If you think about it, chess is the original war game.”

Richardson said that the Mobile area has occasional chess competitions, and there are also some in Montgomery. He also hopes that perhaps Wind Creek Casino & Hotel — where Richardson works — may be able to host some tournaments in the future.

Richardson also plans for the Atmore Chess Club to eventually earn its official affiliation with the U.S. Chess Federation, which will allow club members to enter more competitions. Atmore Christian School has also expressed interest in Richardson perhaps helping with an after-school chess program for the students.

But for now, Richardson is just enjoying the social atmosphere twice a week at The Coffee House.

“Right now, the club is free to all, and it’s open to all,” he said. “Just come out and have fun.”

For more information on the club, search for “Atmore Chess Club” on Facebook.