Hi all.
Im starting this thread to try and comprise a nice list of places where us chess fiends can get together and play chess OTB.
I am interested in this as i have found a few good places on my travels and would like to share them, and maybe find some new ones too.
The first place i found was Chess heaven!! It is the Jardin de Luxembourg in paris (near Saint Michel, France). This is a park with a dedicated area set out for chess players. Everytime i visited it, there were at least 20 players, up to around 150 or so on good days. I played my first master here (got beat, surprise surprise), but won a few too. If your ever around there, make sure u go!!!
There is a giant chess board in Amsterdam, near to Vondel Park. I watched some excellent chess here. Never got to play unfortunatly (my girlfriend wasn't to keen on waiting 😞), although the wait would have been long due to a lot of players waiting. There were people playing on regular boards though 🙂
I have found a giant chess board in Twickenham (London England). I have never seen anybody playing on it, which is nice as long as u bring an opponent. If u go down church street (just off King street), u'll find it. The board is in a small fore court in front of the church. The board belongs to a Travel agents in the square, they don't generally have it out in winter, only summer.
So, that's all i can think of. If anyone knows of any more, please post them so we can share in the fun 🙂
If anyone knows of anymore in London i will be eternally greatful 🙂¬~
Originally posted by marinakatombHardly the most glamourous of locations, but there are two giant chess boards in front of Huddersfield library.
Anyone else?? Come on u Brits, don't keep your venues secret 🙂¬~
The boards are coloured concrete flags, and the pieces are obtained from the library (I think).
In the summer they are often quite busy, with many onlookers and a queue to play.
I don't know how good the players are but I've seen an ex-teacher of mine there and he has a BCF rating of something like 165.
Originally posted by Vargin a square in salzburg, austria, there's a giant chess set there. i think people also play in the park, but i'm not sure...(the brouchour thingy said they did...but i didn't see any 😛)
Hardly the most glamourous of locations, but there are two giant chess boards in front of Huddersfield library.
The boards are coloured concrete flags, and the pieces are obtained from the library (I think).
In the summer they are often quite busy, with many onlookers and a queue to play.
I don't know how good the players are but I've seen an ex-teacher of mine there and he has a BCF rating of something like 165.
as for glasgow-nowhere that i know of, apart from one fo the maths room twice a week at lunchtimes, but the qualities not very good there 😕 but there were a few the last time i was there...
Here in Canberra, near the centre of town there is an Irish pub called King O'Malley's - every Saturday they lay out a number of boards and clocks in the outside area and people come and play while they sip their Guinness. nearby there is a giant chessboard, but it is not often used, and i'm not sure where you get the pieces from.
In Melbourne, in the CBD there is a giant chessboard, and from memory, people play there on Sundays, on boards they set up on tables with clocks. This was all set up by a jeweller who has a shop nearby, and whose son - a chess lover - was tragically killed.
Originally posted by geniusYes i've been to Austria (when i was about 11). I remember seeing more than one giant chess board, i didn't play back then though 🙁 I might have been quite good by now if i had.....
in a square in salzburg, austria, there's a giant chess set there. i think people also play in the park, but i'm not sure...(the brouchour thingy said they did...but i didn't see any 😛)
Originally posted by marinakatombI was in Salzburg when I was around 18 months old, and saw the board, but I don't remember it 🙁.
Yes i've been to Austria (when i was about 11). I remember seeing more than one giant chess board, i didn't play back then though 🙁 I might have been quite good by now if i had.....
There are people playing chess in the street at least on weekends near the end of the cable car route on Market Street in San Francisco. This is where all the tourists get on the cable car to go to Fisherman's Warf at the San Francisco Bay.
I have not been there in a while. I think taht they are still doing this. people bring their own boards.
Christoph