The chess players in Union Square set up their tables year-round. On rainy days, they sit there under umbrellas. Passersby will stop and sit to play a game. Sometimes you can tell the two chess players are old friends, who meet up daily to have a go at the game. Other times, it’s total strangers. I love the chess ritual here in New York and I pass through Union Square every day and love to check out how everyone is doing. Yesterday was a real spring day, chilly and windy and sunny and beautiful. I was half an hour early for my doctor’s appointment so I sat down on the circular steps to relax for a second and not do anything but observe, soak up the scene, slow the hell down. A chess player to my left was sitting at his table, the pieces all set up. Waiting for someone to sit down and start a game. This is how it goes. Three ladies, loaded down with shopping bags, strolled by, and one, wearing a fuzzy sweater covered in hearts, stopped, clearly drawn to the chess table.
I looked away for 15 seconds, and when I looked back, here was the new tableau.
Life is working as it should.
hey Sheila,
A quintessential spring moment in NY, the first time you see the chess players out and about. I used to play against the guys in Washington Square park from time to time; they were masters of the clock and would throw in these ridiculously crazy moves to confound me and soak up my time and I would never recover. One of these days…..
The Times had a lovely piece, “Elvis is everywhere” on their lensblog this morning and thought of you. Enjoy. best, John
http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/08/elvis-is-everywhere/?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news#
John –
// they were masters of the clock and would throw in these ridiculously crazy moves to confound me and soak up my time and I would never recover. //
Ha!!! That’s great!!
and thanks so much for the link – what an interesting project!
This is exactly the glimpse of New York I long to see but never do when I travel there every month. Thanks for the snapshot and reminder to build in time to see this side of the city.
The great part about this – is that these guys are always there!! So if you just swing by that area, you are bound to see them. Even on a day of pouring rain. It’s such a nice communal activity. Love it!!
“Chess holds its master in its own bonds, shackling the mind and brain so that the inner freedom of the very strongest must suffer.”
– Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
I think he also called the game a descent into madness. It’s like a math problem with no solution. And it’s all skill and strategy, zero luck. Do you play? It can be equally exhilarating or frustrating. Mostly frustrating.
I’ve seen those guys play. They play “blitz” chess, against the clock, and I honestly don’t know if I could take the pressure! I’m guessing the woman in the heart sweater got her ass kicked.
Their game was very leisurely and friendly. No blitz-ing.
I don’t play chess, although I know which way all the pieces go, but I am fascinated by it! Especially fascinated by those who count it as their main hobby/activity/obsession. I love obsessive people, in general.