Ben and Oscar

Ben and Oscar are the dynamic father and son duo of the Eugene Chess Club, our own chess-board action heroes who show up week after week, ready for battle.

Oscar learned to play just three years ago and now competes for his school’s chess club. His father Ben does his best to keep up with him. Ben is a deep thinking strategist who aspires to play with speed, while Oscar is the opportunist, quick, sharp, and ready to strike the moment he spots an opening. Ben describes Oscar as a ferocious player, “He sees cracks in your armor and goes for it. He moves quickly.” When asked how his father plays, Oscar replies, “He needs more practice, but he’s still a very good player.” They both smile, partners who know each other’s strengths.

If Oscar could witness any major match in person, he says he’d choose “Magnus and Hikaru because they’re my favorite.” And when asked which chess piece he’d hire as his personal assistant, he doesn’t hesitate, “The queen, because it’s the most powerful piece.”

In the world of chess-board heroes, Schwarzenegger and Stallone have nothing on these two.