“I’m going to teach you a game” said a father to his five-year-old daughter.
Inquisitively she looked up and saw sixty-four black and white squares laid perfectly across a wooden board. In that moment she dropped her Barbie doll, pushed aside her teddy bear, and listened to her father more intently than she had ever listened to him before.
She precariously picked up each piece with wonder, as though realising she was in front of something special. That day she learnt the names of all the pieces and how they moved, and, overnight it became her favourite game.
***
For anyone who personally knows me, they will know I’m talking about myself. Since I was little chess has been my favourite game and I’ve played it sometimes to the point of obsession.
There’s something about playing chess that grabs my attention and makes me forget my surroundings and all other engagements. This however, doesn’t mean I’m a professional chess player or that I could even be described as good – far, far from it – but still, I enjoy few things more than a game of chess.
My favourite places to play chess around the world
For a long time it was quite difficult to find places to play chess, so I used to always play chess online. It’s no wonder chess players have a reputation for being introverts! However, in more recent years, with increased social media finding places to plays chess in person has become much easier.
During my travels I’ve learnt a few countries have a very prominent chess scene that would satisfy the utmost chess fanatics.
New York
The best place in the world for chess lovers is New York City. You can head over to Washington Square Park or the Chess House in Central Park and practise your Sicilian Defence and Gambit against a wide range of people hailing from all walks of life. Playing the game is a great way to meet new people; it opens you up to friendships that wouldn’t otherwise occur.
New York is also home to the Chess Forum – probably the world’s greatest chess shop. So if you’re looking to buy a new chess set (they have hundreds), or want somewhere cosy to play a game of two, this is the place to go.
London
I’ve noticed that since lock-down more and more chess groups have sprouted up in pockets all across the city. Any night of the week you will be able to attend ‘chess nights’ that occur in pubs and outdoor spaces.
My favourite club is FourCorner. The club is held outdoors in St John’s Square every Saturday, and Granary Square every Wednesday night when the weather is nice, typically from April to October.
Honourable mentions
Since those early days with my father, I’ve played games with random guys in Santa Barbara, had my ass kicked by a grandmaster in Amsterdam, played speed chess in Philadelphia, checkmated in China, and seen the world’s oldest chess board in the British Museum.
I’ve been to Reykjavik where the Match of the Century was played, and even visited Bobby Fischer’s grave as I travelled around the ring-road of Iceland. Bobby Fischer made the country his home up until his death in 2008.
I’ve also been to Russia to pay my respect to some of history’s greatest players… I’m hoping deluding myself that one day the ridiculously gorgeous Garry Kasparov will find me 🙂
I love my knights!
A guy I met in a hostel in Oslo weeps as I relish in my victory. Chess is a great way of meeting new people when you travel.
Chess Sets: my favourite souvenir when I travel abroad. You’re spoilt for choice in Turkey.
Observing a middle game in Max Euweplein Square, Amsterdam.
2 responses
I have to admit I do love chess. Whenever I’m abroad I try to pick up a set for my father. The last purchases was one in Peru which featured Inca inspired pieces.
Your father is very lucky and considering how much you’ve travelled he must have amassed quite a collection! I’m jealous hah!