Friday, November 19, 2004

To live in a place where chess matters

A report from Only for the Headstrong on the chess scene in Switzerland:

What else…chess, I’ve been meaning to write about chess. Chess is huge here. Everywhere you go there are chess games in progress. In one of the squares downtown there is actually an outdoor chess board inlaid into the concrete. I’ve never seen it unused, and usually there are people clustered around it watching. The bar I’ve been visiting ("Oops Bar") has several regulars who watch for known chess players and will pounce on you as soon as you step in the place. Have to fend them off with a stick .... Other establishments are completely dedicated to chess, and make money off selling drinks (non-alcoholic) to players.

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