Do you play chess? Do you enjoy playing chess face to face? Did you know there are thousands of outdoor chess tables across North America?
Chess is a two person game and people encountering outdoor chess tables more often than not come without a chess playing partner. Also, chess pieces cannot be set up on their own as they are likely to be blown away during bad weather or go missing.
Chess Facilitator
A chess facilitator is needed to set up pieces and look after them, act as a greeter and supervise the chess tables. If this occurs there will be large volumes of players enjoying chess during the warm weather months. A facilitator can rapidly determine a player’s ability and match them up with a partner of similar level. This allows the players to have a comfortable, enjoyable chess experience. A facilitator can provide tips and answer chess questions, provide ideas of where to go to improve your chess ability, give further knowledge on the chess playing scene. A facilitator also shows how to record interesting chess positions and introduce the chess language thus stirring further enthusiasm for chess.
Positives of face to face chess
Playing with your own ability and creating your own moves
Playing a chess adventure with someone at your own level of play
Relaxed atmosphere and relaxed surroundings
No pressure to perform
Interesting conversation and meeting interesting people
Healthy social interaction
Sharing love of chess with someone interested
An activity to look forward to
Social Players
The vast majority of chess players are social players who have not played tournament chess.
Most chess clubs present an intimidating atmosphere of tournament competitiveness where players are often judged by the level of chess they present. Little time is spent interacting with beginner or social players. When a visitor realizes the daunting task of committing to learning enough strategy to compete at a tournament level they choose to take their chess playing experience elsewhere.
Enjoying a return visit
After a positive interaction and first name exchange with a facilitator at outdoor chess tables, a visitor could be connected via Facebook or email in order to inform them of playing hours, weather conditions, hours when facilitator is present, special events and upcoming events and links to local clubs and activities. Perhaps also an overview of the day’s activities and a short game of interest or a chess puzzle.
Growing a Social Chess Community
The facilitator starts a list of first name regulars (rough notes of playing strength and points of interest on each player including keenness to play others or more likely to stick to a certain group - not profound - just helpful guidance). Eventual connection to other facilitators (other tables), meeting places and club(s)
Internet Connected
A wonderful facet of the internet is to connect various groups of tables around the world. An astounding fact is that all the major cities in North America (and many lesser urban centers) have groups of outdoor chess tables. Typically the outdoor chess tables do not stand alone, they come in groups or quads of four.
What's happening with thousands of outdoor chess tables now?
Most of those thousands of tables are sitting idle, gathering graffiti and aging slowly. Occasional visitors come by but not to play chess which is what they were designed for. To make those chess tables fully functional each group of them needs a chess facilitator.
LONELY CHESS TABLES
TABLES READY FOR ACTION
BEST - Tables in action - WITH FACILITATOR
Role of Chess Facilitator
Notes from my role as Chess Facilitator at Kitchener City Hall, Ontario, Canada - Hans Jung
Kitchener City Hall has two wings lining both sides of Civic Square with the main part of City hall on the east side. Civic Square is about 200 ft wide and about 150 ft deep. It fronts on King Street (main street) and has jetting fountains of water along the front. In the front of both wings are 4 chess tables (both sides). The tables are under a roof overhang and speakers play classical music all day long (to help deep thinking). There is a coffee shop just beside the tables on one side and a coffee shop right across the street on the other wing. Public washrooms are 100 ft away on both sides. There is a large Shoppers Drugmart (department store size) on the corner by one set of tables and plenty of food options very close. The tables have been outside since April 1 (they are stored over the winter in City of Kitchener storage facilities) and during that time sets could be signed out from Kitchener Tourism. My season as coordinator started June 1st. I am at the tables from 10 am to 6pm Monday thru Thursday (minus office time of course). The city encourages me to keep a stats book. A typical day at the tables: Monday June 15th. Beautiful day, no breeze, 23 degrees. Setup pieces by 1015am, one token set on Williams Coffee side (because of King Street construction - too much dust), 4 sets on Just Between Us side (Just Between Us is a quality women's clothing store). Grab a coffee and check emails. Sitting at tables by 1045am.
First guy to come by is Bill. Bill is a determined chess player. He started at the tables 4 yrs ago. He was a pure beginner (not sure of some of the moves) Last year he joined the chess club (which only meets Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons) I dont think he missed a week in all that time. When I play Bill I usually play pawns to the third and quiet piece development and dont initiate any captures or tactics until move 20 unless he initiates first. That way the game is competitive and he likes that. No one likes to be slaughtered. Here is my game Monday against Bill. Bill's white. Im black. 1.e4 d6 2.d4 e6 3.c4 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Be3 Ne7 6.Bd3 00 7.Ne2 b6 8.Nd2 Bb7 9.h4 Nd7 10.h5 c5 11.g4 cxd4 12.Bxd4 e5 13.fxe5 dxe5 14.Be3 Nc5 15.Bc2 Nd3+ 16.Bxd3 Qxd3 17.Bg5 Nc6 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.Rf1 Rxf1+ 20.Kxf1 Rf8+ 21.Ke1 Nd4 22.Nf1 Nf3+ 23.Kf2 Nd2+ 24.Bf4 Qf3+ 25.Ke1 Nxe4 0-1 and no I didnt record moves during the game. I did it at a quiet moment afterwards. By the time we finished Fazul was spectating. Fazul is about 60, from Afghanistan, distinguished looking, always dressed in a well pressed business suit even though I happen to know that for the last 5 years he has been taking English as a second language courses week days at the local adult high school nearby. Fazul and Bill decide to play and I also match up (and have a chat with) a new high school kid and Doug, another regular. By this time it is 1145am so I head inside to the Special Events storage area to load up the giant chess pieces. I play on the giant chess pieces (against any and all comers) right outside the main doors of City Hall from noon to just after 1pm. I distribute promotional literature for chess and play at the same time (as well as have conversations or exchange pleasant words with passersby). My opponent of today is Michael. Michael had a horrific car accident several years ago (and should have died) and has major physical problems. However he pushes himself and even though he barely can lift the pieces and often drops them he never gives up trying. He is a reasonable chessplayer however (about 1400 CFC). Because of his obvious trouble with moves physically the game takes a full hour. Spectators include a regular, Rob, a city police officer (in full uniform) who is the liaison between the police department and the downtown businesses. Rob and I often play but today he is kibitzing (and he is a brutal kibitzer) He calls me an ***hole for the way I finish the game and threatens to arrest me. Things escalate and he threatens to take me up to see the mayor. (now thats kibitzing!) After teardown it is 115pm and by the time Im done putting the pieces away and checking emails its 130. I then take lunch and am back at the tables by 2pm. My next opponent is Mr. Kwalchuk, a retired school teacher and former chess coach at Eastwood Collegiate. Mr. Kwalchuk is a serious player (about 1600 CFC) and wants me to play full out. Here is the game: Mr. Kwalchuk white - Me black. 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c5 3.e3 Nc6 4.dxc5 e5 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.a3 Bxc5 7.b4 Bd6 8.Be2 00 9.Bb2 a6 10.00 e4 11.Nd4 Ne5 12.h3 Bd7 13.f3 exf3 14.Nxf3 Bc6 15.Qd4 Qe7 16.Rad1 Rfe8 17.Rd2 Rad8 18.Nh4 Bb8 19.Nf3 Ng6 20.Nd1 Qc7 21.Bd3 Qg3 22.Bxg6 hxg6 23.Qh4 Qxh4 24.Nxh4 Ne4 0-1 and so the day goes by. The stats for Monday June 15th: 64 Participants (reasonable for early in the season on a nice day) 30 spectators, 15 seniors, 12 teens, 5 women, 1 child (about 5 - just learning the moves) Club members - Bill, Joe Volunteers - Doug 1 hr, Peter teaching his buddy Fred - 1 hr, Mike 2 hrs, Michael 1 hr Giant Pieces at Lunch noon to 1pm - 1 player (Michael), 30 spectators including Rob and Joe.
A day in the life of a chess facilitator.
Notes from my role as Chess Facilitator at Kitchener City Hall, Ontario, Canada - Hans Jung
Kitchener City Hall has two wings lining both sides of Civic Square with the main part of City hall on the east side. Civic Square is about 200 ft wide and about 150 ft deep. It fronts on King Street (main street) and has jetting fountains of water along the front. In the front of both wings are 4 chess tables (both sides). The tables are under a roof overhang and speakers play classical music all day long (to help deep thinking). There is a coffee shop just beside the tables on one side and a coffee shop right across the street on the other wing. Public washrooms are 100 ft away on both sides. There is a large Shoppers Drugmart (department store size) on the corner by one set of tables and plenty of food options very close. The tables have been outside since April 1 (they are stored over the winter in City of Kitchener storage facilities) and during that time sets could be signed out from Kitchener Tourism. My season as coordinator started June 1st. I am at the tables from 10 am to 6pm Monday thru Thursday (minus office time of course). The city encourages me to keep a stats book. A typical day at the tables: Monday June 15th. Beautiful day, no breeze, 23 degrees. Setup pieces by 1015am, one token set on Williams Coffee side (because of King Street construction - too much dust), 4 sets on Just Between Us side (Just Between Us is a quality women's clothing store). Grab a coffee and check emails. Sitting at tables by 1045am.
First guy to come by is Bill. Bill is a determined chess player. He started at the tables 4 yrs ago. He was a pure beginner (not sure of some of the moves) Last year he joined the chess club (which only meets Tuesday evenings and Sunday afternoons) I dont think he missed a week in all that time. When I play Bill I usually play pawns to the third and quiet piece development and dont initiate any captures or tactics until move 20 unless he initiates first. That way the game is competitive and he likes that. No one likes to be slaughtered. Here is my game Monday against Bill. Bill's white. Im black. 1.e4 d6 2.d4 e6 3.c4 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Be3 Ne7 6.Bd3 00 7.Ne2 b6 8.Nd2 Bb7 9.h4 Nd7 10.h5 c5 11.g4 cxd4 12.Bxd4 e5 13.fxe5 dxe5 14.Be3 Nc5 15.Bc2 Nd3+ 16.Bxd3 Qxd3 17.Bg5 Nc6 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.Rf1 Rxf1+ 20.Kxf1 Rf8+ 21.Ke1 Nd4 22.Nf1 Nf3+ 23.Kf2 Nd2+ 24.Bf4 Qf3+ 25.Ke1 Nxe4 0-1 and no I didnt record moves during the game. I did it at a quiet moment afterwards. By the time we finished Fazul was spectating. Fazul is about 60, from Afghanistan, distinguished looking, always dressed in a well pressed business suit even though I happen to know that for the last 5 years he has been taking English as a second language courses week days at the local adult high school nearby. Fazul and Bill decide to play and I also match up (and have a chat with) a new high school kid and Doug, another regular. By this time it is 1145am so I head inside to the Special Events storage area to load up the giant chess pieces. I play on the giant chess pieces (against any and all comers) right outside the main doors of City Hall from noon to just after 1pm. I distribute promotional literature for chess and play at the same time (as well as have conversations or exchange pleasant words with passersby). My opponent of today is Michael. Michael had a horrific car accident several years ago (and should have died) and has major physical problems. However he pushes himself and even though he barely can lift the pieces and often drops them he never gives up trying. He is a reasonable chessplayer however (about 1400 CFC). Because of his obvious trouble with moves physically the game takes a full hour. Spectators include a regular, Rob, a city police officer (in full uniform) who is the liaison between the police department and the downtown businesses. Rob and I often play but today he is kibitzing (and he is a brutal kibitzer) He calls me an ***hole for the way I finish the game and threatens to arrest me. Things escalate and he threatens to take me up to see the mayor. (now thats kibitzing!) After teardown it is 115pm and by the time Im done putting the pieces away and checking emails its 130. I then take lunch and am back at the tables by 2pm. My next opponent is Mr. Kwalchuk, a retired school teacher and former chess coach at Eastwood Collegiate. Mr. Kwalchuk is a serious player (about 1600 CFC) and wants me to play full out. Here is the game: Mr. Kwalchuk white - Me black. 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c5 3.e3 Nc6 4.dxc5 e5 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.a3 Bxc5 7.b4 Bd6 8.Be2 00 9.Bb2 a6 10.00 e4 11.Nd4 Ne5 12.h3 Bd7 13.f3 exf3 14.Nxf3 Bc6 15.Qd4 Qe7 16.Rad1 Rfe8 17.Rd2 Rad8 18.Nh4 Bb8 19.Nf3 Ng6 20.Nd1 Qc7 21.Bd3 Qg3 22.Bxg6 hxg6 23.Qh4 Qxh4 24.Nxh4 Ne4 0-1 and so the day goes by. The stats for Monday June 15th: 64 Participants (reasonable for early in the season on a nice day) 30 spectators, 15 seniors, 12 teens, 5 women, 1 child (about 5 - just learning the moves) Club members - Bill, Joe Volunteers - Doug 1 hr, Peter teaching his buddy Fred - 1 hr, Mike 2 hrs, Michael 1 hr Giant Pieces at Lunch noon to 1pm - 1 player (Michael), 30 spectators including Rob and Joe.
A day in the life of a chess facilitator.
Street Chess - How to Create Excitement
***
A lousy day weatherwise so a need for exciting chess at the tables. As Black I played this game.
1.e4 g6 2.d4 b6 3.c4 Bg7 4.e5 c5 5.Bf4 cxd4 6.Qxd4 Nc6 7.Qc3 d6 8.Nf3 g5
Those of you looking for the latest theoretical wrinkle should have left by now - this is street chess!
9.Bg3 g4 White backs up, Black keeps coming. 10.Nd4 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Bxe5 12.g3 Bb7 13.Rg1 e6 14.Nd2 Qf6 15.N2b3 Qh6 The plan 16.a4 Qxh2 17.000 Qxg1
Plan achieved
18.Qe3 Nf6 19.Nd2 h5 20.Bd3 Qg2 21.Bf1 Qc6
The crowd is dispersing, must make it interesting again.
22.Nxc6 Bxc6 23.Qb3 Rc8 24.Bd3 Nd7 25.Be4 d5
The block
26.Bxd5!? exd5 27.Qe3 d4 28.Qg5 Bf6 29.Re1+ Kd8
Whose king will survive?
30.Qf5 Bxa4 31.Kb1 Rc5 32.Qf4 d3 33.Qe4 Bc2+ 34.Kc1 Ra5
Now Qa8 doesn't work.
35.Re3 Ra1+ 36.Nb1 Rxb1+ 37.Kd2 Rd1# 0-1
clean PGN
1. e4 g6 2. d4 b6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e5 c5 5. Bf4 cxd4 6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Qc3 d6 8. Nf3 g5 9. Bg3 g4 10. Nd4 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 Bxe5 12. g3 Bb7 13. Rg1 e6 14. Nd2 Qf6 15. N2b3 Qh6 16. a4 Qxh2 17. O-O-O Qxg1 18. Qe3 Nf6 19. Nd2 h5 20. Bd3 Qg2 21. Bf1 Qc6 22. Nxc6 Bxc6 23. Qb3 Rc8 24. Bd3 Nd7 25. Be4 d5 26. Bxd5 exd5 27. Qe3 d4 28. Qg5 Bf6 29. Re1+ Kd8 30. Qf5 Bxa4 31. Kb1 Rc5 32. Qf4 d3 33. Qe4 Bc2+ 34. Kc1 Ra5 35. Re3 Ra1+ 36. Nb1 Rxb1+ 37. Kd2 Rd1#
************
Nice mate!
***
A lousy day weatherwise so a need for exciting chess at the tables. As Black I played this game.
1.e4 g6 2.d4 b6 3.c4 Bg7 4.e5 c5 5.Bf4 cxd4 6.Qxd4 Nc6 7.Qc3 d6 8.Nf3 g5
Those of you looking for the latest theoretical wrinkle should have left by now - this is street chess!
9.Bg3 g4 White backs up, Black keeps coming. 10.Nd4 Nxe5 11.Bxe5 Bxe5 12.g3 Bb7 13.Rg1 e6 14.Nd2 Qf6 15.N2b3 Qh6 The plan 16.a4 Qxh2 17.000 Qxg1
Plan achieved
18.Qe3 Nf6 19.Nd2 h5 20.Bd3 Qg2 21.Bf1 Qc6
The crowd is dispersing, must make it interesting again.
22.Nxc6 Bxc6 23.Qb3 Rc8 24.Bd3 Nd7 25.Be4 d5
The block
26.Bxd5!? exd5 27.Qe3 d4 28.Qg5 Bf6 29.Re1+ Kd8
Whose king will survive?
30.Qf5 Bxa4 31.Kb1 Rc5 32.Qf4 d3 33.Qe4 Bc2+ 34.Kc1 Ra5
Now Qa8 doesn't work.
35.Re3 Ra1+ 36.Nb1 Rxb1+ 37.Kd2 Rd1# 0-1
clean PGN
1. e4 g6 2. d4 b6 3. c4 Bg7 4. e5 c5 5. Bf4 cxd4 6. Qxd4 Nc6 7. Qc3 d6 8. Nf3 g5 9. Bg3 g4 10. Nd4 Nxe5 11. Bxe5 Bxe5 12. g3 Bb7 13. Rg1 e6 14. Nd2 Qf6 15. N2b3 Qh6 16. a4 Qxh2 17. O-O-O Qxg1 18. Qe3 Nf6 19. Nd2 h5 20. Bd3 Qg2 21. Bf1 Qc6 22. Nxc6 Bxc6 23. Qb3 Rc8 24. Bd3 Nd7 25. Be4 d5 26. Bxd5 exd5 27. Qe3 d4 28. Qg5 Bf6 29. Re1+ Kd8 30. Qf5 Bxa4 31. Kb1 Rc5 32. Qf4 d3 33. Qe4 Bc2+ 34. Kc1 Ra5 35. Re3 Ra1+ 36. Nb1 Rxb1+ 37. Kd2 Rd1#
************
Nice mate!
We've had a long run of good weather (two weeks) and there has been lots of action at the chess tables. Yesterday I had an interesting game. White: Chris R who comes one day every couple of weeks when he gets a break at work. He needs his chess fix and likes to challenge me. 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5! Benko Gambit - this is street chess and we need action. 4.Qc2 meek but he knows my reputation 4...bxc4 5.Qxc4 Ba6 (free pawn) 6.Qxc5 e6 7.Qc2 Nxd5 8.a3 (better safe than sorry) 8... Nc6 9.Nf3 Rc8 10.e4??! My trash talk has goaded him to action! 10...Ndb4 11.Qd2 Rc2?!? (11...Nc2+ just cleans up but the spectators are gathering and I want excitement!) 12.Qd4 Rxc1+ 13.Kd2 (Yup 4 pieces hanging) 13...Nd3 (Whats going on???) 14.exd5 e5 15.Nxe5 Qg5+ 16.f4 Nxf4 17.Qe3 Be7 18.Nf3 Nxd5!! (have you ever seen such an idea?? - eyes are popping and jaws are dropping) 19.Nxg5 Nxe3 (White must be winning - nope!) 20.Kxc1 Bxf1 and here the tension is too much and White blunders with 21.Nd2 (better and expected was 21.Ne4 Bxg2 22.Re1 Bxe4 23.Rxe3 Bg5) Anyways drew quite a crowd and got people talking and discussing (and dissing). Nothing like street chess!!
STREET CHESS BLUES
I have the move pickin' blues
from my head to my shoes
I have the move pickin' blues
from my head to my shoes,
speed chess is the beat
I keep time with my feet.
I have the moves so fine
they come in double time
I have the moves so fine
they come in double time
I play the Knight C3
it got a hold of me
I swing the Knight
from left to right
I swing the Knight
from left to right
I push the E4 pawn
to make the rest come along
I'm in the groove
and I know which move
I'm in the groove
and I know which move
the King does slide
and I have the rest in mind
I'm in the middle game now
and I know just how
I'm in the middle game now
and I know just how
It's easy now when you know just how
Whether it's fork or pin
that leads to the win
Whether it's fork or pin
that leads to the win
Where the pieces go it's all in the flow
Some say it's zen but there we go again
Some say it's zen but there we go again
It's not in the name, it's just part of the game
The rest comes quick the moves are slick
the rest comes quick the moves are slick
It ends before mate before it's too late
I have the move pickin' blues
from my head to my shoes
I have the move pickin' blues
from my head to my shoes
speed chess is the beat
I keep time with my feet
copyright Hans Jung, 2016
I have the move pickin' blues
from my head to my shoes
I have the move pickin' blues
from my head to my shoes,
speed chess is the beat
I keep time with my feet.
I have the moves so fine
they come in double time
I have the moves so fine
they come in double time
I play the Knight C3
it got a hold of me
I swing the Knight
from left to right
I swing the Knight
from left to right
I push the E4 pawn
to make the rest come along
I'm in the groove
and I know which move
I'm in the groove
and I know which move
the King does slide
and I have the rest in mind
I'm in the middle game now
and I know just how
I'm in the middle game now
and I know just how
It's easy now when you know just how
Whether it's fork or pin
that leads to the win
Whether it's fork or pin
that leads to the win
Where the pieces go it's all in the flow
Some say it's zen but there we go again
Some say it's zen but there we go again
It's not in the name, it's just part of the game
The rest comes quick the moves are slick
the rest comes quick the moves are slick
It ends before mate before it's too late
I have the move pickin' blues
from my head to my shoes
I have the move pickin' blues
from my head to my shoes
speed chess is the beat
I keep time with my feet
copyright Hans Jung, 2016
A, D, E repeat
A, D, E repeat
A, D, E repeat
A, D, E repeat
B, C#, A, D, E
B7, C#, B7, E, A
Notes and music by Sean Brown
A, D, E repeat
A, D, E repeat
A, D, E repeat
B, C#, A, D, E
B7, C#, B7, E, A
Notes and music by Sean Brown