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Let's Play Chess Day - May 1 - At NYC's Washington Square Park Was Successful!

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HB Global Chess Challenge Begins This Week

The HB Global Chess Challenge, billed as the richest open tournament in the history of chess, begins Wednesday, May 18th in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The nine-round swiss-system tournament features a guaranteed prize fund of $500,000.

The tournament is being held in the Minneapolis Convention Center, and spectators are welcome to watch for free.

The available prizes are spread over several sections, with the winners in most sections receiving $10,000-$20,000. In the open section, the champion will take a $50,000 prize, and the top 50 finishers will receive prize money.

Over 40 GMs, along with many other titled players, are already registered for the tournament. In all, over 1400 people are registered.

We will be providing complete coverage of this tournament in the coming weeks. For the official tournament website, click here.

Let's Play Chess Day - May 1 - At NYC's Washington Square Park Was Successful!

This article can also be found on the USCF Website.

Let’s Play Chess Day sponsored by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, NYC Department of Recreation and Parks, Marshall Chess Club and United States Chess Federation was a huge hit with kids and adults.

We started the morning not so bright but early on Sunday, May 1st. Up here in Newburgh, (60 miles north of Manhattan) the rain was coming down pretty hard and we were doubting if the event would still take place. Pleasantly surprised, our train pulled into a cloudy, but rainless New York City. We arrived in the park, boxes of Chess Life in tow, around 10:30am to see that the Marshall Chess Club had already set up. Over an hour before the event, participants and onlookers were already beginning to gather. The group of both young and old consisted of a conglomerate of chess club players, tournament junkies, and the Washington Square Park natives. Natives are the local players who often convene at the permanent chess tables located in the park day in and day out. These are well-seasoned players, often playing versions of speed chess that is most memorably depicted in the movie Searching for Bobby Fischer. In fact, a young first-grader and WSP native played numerous animated side games in between the designated rounds that resembled scenes from the movie. These players were the young first-grader, Alex Schwartzberg and Rahim, (first name known only) an older gentleman whose interaction with the kids was not only entertaining, but educational for all. This man invited the kids to play quick five minute rounds (or less) and often commented on their moves with humor and vigor resulting in improved and quick thinking from the kids. The children often returned and begged him to play more games. These games attracted huge crowds and even bigger smiles form onlookers and participants.

Marjorie Kouns, a New York-based artist whose work is shown worldwide attended the event. Her current work, Well-Lit Chess Pieces are decorated lampposts which provided a festive and unique back-drop for the tournament. Her current work focuses on connecting the public to art by encouraging active participation in the creative process. Kouns current work for Washington Square Park 2005 was sponsored by Starbucks Neighborhood Park Grants Program, Knickerbocker Village NY, Inc., and Signature Properties NY, Inc. and will be on display at the park through the summer. Also representing the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council was Alan J. Gerson, also a Council Member and a lifelong NYC resident, has contributed years to the betterment of the lives of countless young people. Alan is also a longtime supporter of the arts and neighborhood arts facilities.

The tournament itself had a good turn-out, especially considering the change of date and gloomy weather earlier in the day. The tournament brought the sunshine with it. A few minutes into Round 1 the sun broke through the clouds and poured upon the concentrating faces of the players. This great change of weather and a good turn-out, along with the other events of the day made a great atmosphere that NYC is known for. WSP is known for its diversity and May 2nd was no exception. Throughout the day, there innumerable quantities of dog lovers walking their pets through the chess scene to get to the dog parks. However, this was a unique day in that there was a parade of "hot dogs" (dachshunds) gathering by the famous arch. If only we could get them to learn to play. Then they'd really be man's best friend!

Later in the afternoon, GM John Fedorowicz arrived to play a simul against more than 30 participants. Registrants did not fill all the seats, but many onlookers and extras quickly filled those that were momentarily empty. John happily greeted each participant before their opening move. He was in such a great mood that he gave them all 3 passes! They were all eager to play this well-known and well-liked GM, even if it meant they they lost to him.

All in all the event and the day were both successes and rumor has it that the Marshall Chess Club will host more of these events throughout the summer. Stay tuned! The chess tournament was sponsored by the United States Chess Federation and was organized and run by Rob Young, Joe Lux, Beatriz Marinello, Kathleen Merz, Sarah Paquette, Claudia Bonforte.