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Chess in the Last Frontier | Hometown, Alaska

91 players from across Alaska compete for title of State Chess Champion at the 2025 Alaska State Chess Championship in Anchorage, AK
Alaska Chess Federation
91 players from across Alaska compete for title of State Chess Champion at the 2025 Alaska State Chess Championship in Anchorage, AK

Have you ever wanted to learn the game of chess or sharpen your skills? Last year, the Alaska Chess Federation was accepted on a national level, giving Alaska its first state chapter in more than half of a decade. It brings local chess players together, as well as represents Alaska on the national level. On this episode, host Dave Waldron speaks with a Chess Federation member from Palmer about how to get involved in the game locally, as well as the social and cognitive benefits of playing chess.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUEST: Anthony Irsik, board member of the Alaska Chess Federation, Palmer Chess Club

LINKS:
Alaska Chess Federation
Palmer Chess Club Facebook

Dave Waldron began his radio career in 2000 as a volunteer DJ at UAA’s radio station KRUA 88.1, where he hosted a weekend music show. In 2004 he was hired as the station’s music director, and held the position until his graduation in 2007. He was hired by Alaska Public Media in 2008 and since then has worked as an audio engineer, editor, and producer. He currently runs his own small business AK Audio Pro, and is a host of Alaska Public Media’s Hometown, Alaska.
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