ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Public Library and Ellsworth Chess Club will host the Dick Powell Memorial Chess Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 17 from noon to 5 p.m., bringing chess players from across the region together to honor a man who devoted decades to the game and to the young people he taught. The memorial tournament offers former students, fellow players, friends and chess enthusiasts an opportunity to remember Powell through the game he loved.
For decades, Powell was a familiar and influential figure in Maine’s chess community. He helped organize the Ellsworth Chess Community and founded the chess program at Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School, where he coached for 28 years and helped build a remarkably successful program. During his tenure, the team won 39 state championships and competed in national tournaments. In 2014, the Maine Legislature recognized Powell upon his retirement as a teacher for his extraordinary commitment to the youth of Maine. Richard Aldrich “Dick” Powell of Ellsworth died on Oct. 1, 2025, at the age of 82.
“There are no ‘secret formulas’ that I used along the way. Keeping their interest and having fun were the cornerstones for me,” Powell in an interview with ChessMaine.net in 2014 said. He went on to explain his own motivation: “The fact that I could play [chess] wherever I happened to be — Madagascar, New Zealand, Brazil, Guatemala, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, etc. — was what kept me interested.” Powell was an avid traveler who spoke French, German, Spanish and Portuguese.
Registration: Players and community members interested in participating or learning more can visit the library’s event page. Preregistration is encouraged at https://easypairchess.com/public/tournaments. The tournament is beginner-friendly.
In October 2025, the Ellsworth Chess Club and the Ellsworth Public Library hosted a National Chess Day Tournament with the help of MDI Chess, which drew players of all ages from communities including Machias, Lewiston, Bangor, Glenburn, MDI, Ellsworth, Thorndike and Winthrop.
Ellsworth Public Library is an open, welcoming and safe space where people come together to learn, connect and grow. It is a vibrant hub of curiosity and community where everyone is invited to participate through every chapter of life. The library believes that strong communities begin with equitable access to knowledge, meaningful connections, and lifelong learning and that literacy, especially early literacy, is a vital foundation for the well-being of all community members. Learn more at ellsworthlibrary.net.