Chess at the Local

As an amateur chess player and collector, I enjoy taking my chess sets out into the wild…. I jest with the term ‘wild’ because I really mean a pub, bistro, diner… call it what you will … a place where people gather for a laugh or two , a drink and a bite.

For me, working mainly from home like I do, I like to cap off the working week at a local watering hole with a friend or three and when possible, a game of chess.

It’s a bridge between the working week and the weekend…. Of course, it’s not always a Friday that I head out for a game.

Initially, I felt self conscious - walking into a pub with a chess board and an old box - but now, I see it brings a smile - from patrons and staff alike. Sometimes a few folk might stop by to watch and chat … it brings people together and my, doesn’t the world need a bit of that right now.

Finally, as I’ve collected pieces over time, my view has changed on how I use them. With some exceptions - I now like my pieces to be played and enjoyed (not simply stored and displayed) and in doing so, the dings, dents and stains of age will occur. So be it! They are playing pieces for a game and ‘game on’, I say! That said - I suppose if I had truly valuable pieces - either monetarily or historically - I would take more care but alas mine is a basic and cheap collection at best.
I’ll post more pictures over time and I encourage others to post pictures of playing their sets out and about too. Cheers, Mark

Cool, my chess club plays at coffee shop. I like bring my sets there and other places too. 

your sets look nice.

Nice idea for a thread. I've never ever seen anyone else playing chess in a public place in Aus, and can't imagine walking into a pub and opening a board. Credit to you. A mate and I did get a few games in at a local park, and golf club before we got too busy and gave it up. Need to kick that off again. One of these days you'll walk into that pub, and find you won't be the only board in the house. That'll be a good day for chess. Cheers!

Alright, Mark!!

I am very excited that you’ve begun this thread. Whenever I’m “in the wild” playing chess I often enjoy myself so much that I forget to snap a few pics. Now, with this thread, I shall have a reason to remember to do so…

Who knows, maybe your [our] chess playing amongst the masses will spark something special? (I have a hunch that it will!)

This is a great idea for a thread, Powderdigit! Just today, I was up on the rooftop deck of a local bar with my son for lunch and a game of chess. Next time I will try to remember to take a photo. My son and I have played in numerous restaurants, bars and cafes in town over the years, and the reactions have always been positive from the staff and other patrons.

Love it - looks like some form of Dub getting a run in a lovely coffee shop. 👍

Nor could I until recently …🤦‍♂️…and actually sometimes I don’t even take a folding board, I just walk in 40*40cm board. I’m always polite and ask if they mind - and further, I’m not walking into pubs heaving with people; rather a quiet local. 😊 It’s also why I like somewhat smaller sets - say size 3&4 Chavet, for example. You don’t need a massive board - so the mid-size pieces have their place. Further, many modern pieces seem to have very wide bases - logically for stability and maybe weight - but wide bases, by their nature, sometimes demand a bigger board and thus not so easy to carry into a pub!

Chess and beer is a great combination. Cheers to Mark, from Mark.

I love the idea much more than playing online, and I'd love to have the opportunity, but only one of my friends plays chess and we have very divergent work schedules.

Cheers Mark … and @DelphinSnow I’m fortunate to have four friends who play chess and with whom I can regularly hook up with for an OTB game.

Oh, my two favorite sets, Chavet and Philippines. 😍 I also love looking at photos of your chess sets getting a great night out on a vintage board with chips and beer next to them. 🤗

Great post, I feel the same way about my boards and pieces, a ding here and there gives them character. Love that Knubbel set.

Cheers @DelphinSnow and @Robalero - I’m glad you’re enjoying the thread. I note @KineticPawn’s lovely set too. It will horrify many chess players to note that I have never (yet) been to a chess club - and that looks like the setting for KP’s set. Do clubs allows beer, wine and food on the tables … my guess is probably no, as the setting is for more serious players … and on a Sunday morning - here’s another picture - as I noted earlier, sometimes the game is not on a Friday evening and sans alcohol, but with a coffee and croissant!

https://en.chessbase.com/post/the-oldest-che-caf-in-amsterdam

Nothing will beat the Gambit , best chess place ever , late night drinking + smoking up to 4am in Amsterdam . R.I.P Menase Goldberg

Thank you @lighthouse - I enjoyed that article - reading it on my phone while having a bite this wet Subday morning in Melbourne … 👍… the fact that I am also doing some chess puzzles on my phone probably qualifies as ‘Chess at the local’ but not really … have a great weekend all.

Lately I’ve been playing out at bars and cafes with friends here in Chicago. Staff has always been welcoming (we’re careful not to hog a table when it’s busy). But the coolest thing has been how many strangers come up to talk chess - either that they play or just think it’s cool that we’re doing it in public.

great non judgmental thread i love how others get out and do it --