FARMINGTON – Alfred Neufeld contemplated his next move on the chess board Tuesday as challenger Michael Smilek watched.

Neufeld moved his head to the left to get a better look at the board and then to the right.

He questioned Smilek, owner of the game, about which piece was which because they were smaller in scale than usual and didn’t have as much detail on the pieces to tell them apart.

Smilek’s son brought the game home from Afghanistan as a gift to his father.

It was opening day at a warming center that area church representatives hope will help people stay warm, socialize and get something to eat while saving heat at home.

The center is being held this month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church on Academy Street in Farmington. In February it moves to St. Joseph’s church property (778-2778) on Middle Street and in March to Old South Congregational Church’s Newman Wing (778-0424) on Main Street.

“I am here to be warm; that way I don’t have to use my own heat,” Neufeld said as he made another chess move. “I came here for a meal.”

SeniorsPlus is bringing hot meals to the center. People must reserve a meal 24 hours in advance by calling Henderson Memorial’s office at 778-2163. A requested $3 donation helps offset expenses but any donation is acceptable.

Smilek, a Henderson Memorial church member, said he came to help people, to socialize and to have fun.

Volunteers from many of the churches in the area were doing different tasks as well as mingling with guests.

Guest Sharon Ouellette flipped over a card in a game of war with friend, Roger Cyr, both of Farmington, at another table.

They sipped hot cocoa and ate a cookie as play went on.

Each lay a queen on the table.

That meant war. They laid cards on the table and flipped over the last one. Cyr won that batch with a king while Ouellette laid down a nine of spades.

“I wanted to just come around for this,” Ouellette said, as she played.

Cyr came to get himself out of the house.

“I don’t want to be in front of my computer 24/7,” he said.

Both are hoping the center becomes a success. They were waiting for two more friends to join them.

Ted Lefbvre of Strong stopped to watch Neufeld and Smilek spar at chess.

“That looks like fun,” Lefbvre said.

He had brought in three cushioned swivel rockers and a cushioned chair that were set up in a conversation-friendly way in the fellowship hall. A wicker set sat nearby.

Scrabble, Outburst and Yahtzee games, among others, were set on a table. Magazines and newspapers were also there for the reading.

“Twenty-seven people signed up to eat meals today,” the Rev. Susan Crane said. “About 20 of them were volunteers.”

Outside, Reggie McBean of Wilton and chairman of Henderson Memorial’s Board of Trustees, waited to help anyone in need.

“It’s better than being in the kitchen,” he said. “I’m outnumbered there.”

He believes the center will catch on.

“It’s almost like neighbors helping neighbors because of the times we’re in,” McBean said. “It is neighbors helping neighbors.”