University of Northern Colorado Assistant Professor Byron Bridges, who coordinates UNC’s Teaching American Sign Language program, will compete as a member of the U.S. chess team during this year’s Deaflympics.

From December 12-21, the 19th Winter Deaflympics will take place in Italy. It’s the first year that chess will be part of the games.

“It brings together athletes from all over the world,” signed Bridges, who communicated in American Sign Language through an interpreter and also has played chess for over 40 years. “They decided to ask me to join the chess team, so of course, I was interested in being part of the games and decided I would go.”

Bridges was asked to join by the U.S.A. Deaf Chess Coach because of a team member who knew about Bridges’ skill in chess.

The chess games are held in individual and team categories. The individual category allows three men and three women maximum to participate per country. The team competitions consist of six players (four players and two reserves) who participate on one team per country. Dr. Bridges will be participating in the team competitions.

Bridges, who practices chess daily, responded that he is trying to train as hard as he can leading up to the games.

“In my life, I like to troubleshoot and apply what I know to situations, and this includes chess,” Bridges signed. “I like to strategize, problem solve. So, I’ll use those strategies as I play as well as in various aspects of my life.”

The International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICCD) is the main governing body that organizes the Deaflympics. The chess game categories were discussed by Ivan Kulakov, the secretary general of ICCD, in a video recorded in sign language.

Bridges also participates in:

--Written by Mackenzie Eldred