#42. THE CHESS PLAZE

 

#42. THE CHESS PLAZA 

                    "Chess?” How about a game today?” 

Oops, he must have caught my eye as I walked through the Chess Plaza, southwest corner of the Park. An institution, a tourist draw, and a set for scenes in many movies from Searching for Bobby Fischer to Charlie Wilson’s War. 

Permanent concrete tables with inlaid chess boards. And almost permanent players who show up to entice, tease, compete, hustle, and sometimes teach – for a nominal fee, of course. 

                    “Sorry, I’ve never played this game in my life,”

I lie and move on. In truth, I did try it years ago. But my brain rebelled. Plan one move, two moves, ten moves ahead? Impossible for me. I prefer spontaneity and the unexpected. But I’m glad to know the Plaza is there for all the strategists.