IT DEPENDS MORE ON GRADE YEAR was this his first year at college?? chiaki has a september birthday so he slips and slides a little in terms of what year he could fall in. but if it was izumi's first year at college starting september then they can be classmates in the same year!

ANYWAY chiaki absolutely could've helped out in chess club!! he would've been.... the easiest first person to beat...... he knows what all the pieces are but probably has no idea what strategy is and would be the first hurdle for new members to beat because he's a fool....