An HRCA Member Benefit
Your Next Great Move Starts with a Book.
Explore hundreds of chess books in HRCA’s free lending library for members. Discover a new opening, sharpen your endgames, or learn from the greats—one page at a time.
How to Borrow
Find Your Books
Search our online catalog by title, author, or topic, including openings and endgames.
Arrange Pickup
Choose your titles, then contact us to arrange pickup. Members may borrow up to 10 books at a time.
Read, Learn & Return
Enjoy your books for up to one month. Extensions are available if another member has not placed a hold.
A Little Care Keeps the Library Growing
- Free borrowing is available to HRCA members.
- Check out no more than 10 books at a time.
- Return books within one month or request an extension.
- Members are responsible for replacement costs for lost or damaged books.
- Many titles are older, out of print, and difficult to replace. Please handle every book with care.
In Memory of Ralph Dean Cole
Almost all of our hundreds of volumes were donated. Our largest donation arrived in summer 2021 in memory of Ralph Dean Cole, an avid chess player and Life member of US Chess. His love of the game continues to inspire learning through the books shared with our community.
Expand to Read Ralph’s Chess Story
As told by Ralph’s sister Reva and his brother Calvin.
Ralph was born September 23, 1954. He was the son of Charlie and Gladys Cole of Paynesville, West Virginia. He had three brothers and four sisters, a very close and loving family.
Ralph attended school in Iaeger, West Virginia. Calvin, Ralph’s older brother, introduced him to chess. They would play every evening after school. When Ralph attended Iaeger High School, guidance counselor Mr. Connie Bowles took an interest in him. Ralph’s enthusiasm for chess prompted Mr. Bowles to start a chess club for the school and other surrounding schools.
The boys were known as the Cole brothers. Ralph and Calvin, along with Troy and Roy West, were unbeatable and ranked number one among the schools in McDowell County. In 1971, Iaeger High School was invited to the Greenbrier Invitational. Ralph was in 10th grade and Calvin was in 12th grade. Troy and Roy West also attended. Mr. Bowles was ecstatic when the boys won the first-place trophy for Iaeger High School.
Ralph and Calvin attended the county championship and won first place. A few years later, Ralph’s younger brothers Bobby and Andy also won the county championship.
Ralph was in 12th grade when he attended the West Virginia State Chess Tournament. The top player there chose to play Ralph. Onlookers commented, “You just made a big mistake. You can’t beat Ralph Cole,” and he didn’t. Ralph checkmated him in a few moves.
Ralph and Calvin were both able to beat their counselor in chess, which made Mr. Bowles very proud.
In later years, after Calvin moved to Indiana, Ralph and Calvin played chess over the phone. They would make a couple of moves, then continue their game days later. At that time, long-distance calls cost extra.
Ralph taught his younger brothers to play chess. His nieces and nephews were also excited to learn and had great respect for their uncle Ralph.
Ralph played chess at East Tennessee and won his game. Later, the four Cole brothers—Ralph, Calvin, Bob, and Andy— played a round-robin tournament in Johnson City, Tennessee. They won their games and then played each other, culminating in a draw.
Ralph later sponsored the DD Burkett chess tournament in Cromwell, Indiana. He recruited players from Michigan City, Fort Wayne, and West Lafayette, Indiana.
Ralph played chess at East Tennessee University and had a big win. He continued playing online and maintained his rating by playing highly rated opponents.
Ralph was a lifetime member of the United States Chess Federation and had a 2,000 expert rating. He was a West Virginia State Champion and a Florida State Champion.
Ralph passed away unexpectedly on February 7, 2021. He leaves his wife Wendy, stepson Yanni, grandchildren, and his brothers and sisters to mourn his loss.