Players played all four rounds and gained a point for each win and half a point for each game tied.

The chess club has about 25 members who attend their weekly meetings, up from just five last year.

It is open to all Harvard undergraduates and holds weekly meetings. Members play games against each other, give lessons to other players and compete in tournaments and matches.

The club's annual match against Yale, which Harvard has won the past six years, is held the morning of The Game.

McClelland, the first black club president, said he would like to expose more people to the game, especially minorities.

With this in mind, the club plans to introduce "quick chess" tournaments, played in just 10 minutes, in order to involve players who would not have time for longer matches, like this weekend's six hour rounds.

McClelland said the game cultivates important skills and respect from others.

"I once spent 90 minutes just thinking about one move," he said. "[Chess is] held in high regard because it requires patience and discipline."

The third-annual Harvard Open Scholastic tournament, open to children in grades K-12, was also held at Lowell Hall this weekend. About 45 children competed. No cash prizes were awarded to players in this division.

More information about the club can be found at the club's Web site, http://hcs.harvard.edu/hcc.