NYC Chess
Submitted by
on Fri, 07/17/2009 at 8:50am.
I'm working in NYC for a couple weeks. It's 7 day work weeks as the company wants to get its money's worth. So I won't be doing the grand tour of NYC, making it to the Marshall Chess Club, or anyplace else not close to the hotel or work site.
What I have found is Chess NYC and its Chess on Broadway program as well as the New York Chess & Backgammon Club and its program at Bryant park. The Chess NYC set up is more formal with merchandise for sale, a large outdoor set, etc. The Bryant park setup is basically just a bunch of people playing or watching chess.
I picked up a few souvenirs from Chess NYC but there wasn't much chess going on when I stopped by. By contrast there always seems to be a least a game or two going on at Bryant park. Occasionally the boards don't always fit well on the tables but it is rather informal. So this is where I stop by to relax and get a chess fix. Both have chess lessons on occasions but, much as I need them, I'm not really interested in lessons here and so didn't inquire further.
One interesting point is the backdrop of the park itself. Ten feet to one side is the outdoor reading room with the occasional author in attendance. The large open area outside the trees hosts a wide variety of activities. Yesterday it was a giant Yoga class and I've seen musical events, broadway promotions, photography students working on their assignments and the Ping Pong games farther down the path. If you can't play while there are distractions this is definitely not the place for you. Especially, this being a city, the unpleasant does pop up in the form of a drunk, homeless person, large lunch crowd, sirens, etc.
I've also found the New York Chess and Backgammon club's regular location but haven't visited. The park is too pleasant and I've not felt the need. I might stop in before the end of this trip but it seems unlikely. I might have to come back in December so that might be an idea for then.