International Grandmaster to Appear at RCC’s 35th Annual Chess Exhibition

Long before The Queen’s Gambit made chess cool again, students at Rockland Community College (RCC) were already deep in the game—strategizing, competing, and honing their skills for more than three decades. This year, RCC is celebrating its long-standing passion for chess with its 35th Annual Chess Event and Exhibition, featuring a special appearance by International Grandmaster Gennady Sagalchik.

The event will take place Thursday, April 3, at 12:30 PM in the Student Union, Room 3214 on RCC’s main campus in Suffern, NY. Open to all RCC students, employees, and community members, the tournament is also welcoming three student representatives from each Rockland County school district to participate.

"Over the past thirty-four years, the Annual Chess Event and Exhibition has become a highlight of campus life. Students eagerly await the opportunity to express their love and passion for chess with International Grandmaster Gennady Sagalchik. He offers them an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives," said Peter Arvanites, Faculty Advisor for the Chess Club and Professor of Mathematics at RCC. “

For RCC's Chess Club, this event is the Super Bowl of Chess. Attendees will have the chance to meet and even challenge International Grandmaster Gennady Sagalchik, a Belarus-born chess champion and one of the country’s top chess coaches. A three-time Pan-American Intercollegiate Champion, he played a key role in leading the teams of Manhattan Community College and Brooklyn College to victory. He was also a 2002 U.S. Championship participant and has earned top prizes in international tournaments.

Now based in Brooklyn, Grandmaster Sagalchik works with more than 350 students and serves as the head coach for Chess Mates, a rapidly growing scholastic chess organization on Long Island.

For RCC students, chess is more than a pastime—it’s a mindset.

"I am looking forward to an engaging match with International Grandmaster Gennady Sagalchik, as well as seeing how the members of Chess Club improved throughout the year," said Yehuda Choen, President of RCC’s Chess Club.

Whether you're a seasoned player or just learning the rules, there’s a seat at the board for everyone.

Please contact Peter Arvanites, Professor of Mathematics, at 845-574-4767 or Peter.Arvanites@sunyrockland.edu for more information.

About Rockland Community College, State University of New York 

Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCCs institutional collaborations. RCC also provides career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and microcredentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high-demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.