Major investment to transform future of English chess announced

[Mick Norris]

Reading

Chess tables have been built in two Berkshire parks to encourage people to socialise outdoors.

The two-seater concrete benches and tables were installed in Prospect Park and Palmer Park in Reading.

Players using the new chess tables can bring along their own chess set or borrow one for a small deposit, Reading Borough Council said.

In the summer Reading Chess Club will hold tournaments at the tables to celebrate its 125th anniversary.

[Ian Thompson]

Chess boards installed in two Hull public parks. Hopefully, everything is waterproof.

[Leonard Barden]

https://www.ft.com/content/e7f9e0c9-7ff ... nts-anchor

[Mick Norris]

The other chess table in Bolton today in the sunshine; looks in better nick and a better location in this park too

[Brian Valentine]

As a variation on a theme: Would the chairs be better placed?

[John Upham]

As a variation on a theme: Would the chairs be better placed?

I presume a suggestion of a pie/2 radians rotation looking from above the centre of the d4,e4,d5 and e5 squares comes to mind.

Mind you, only three days to go for an appropriate photograph.

[David York]

I think you have to look at this from the perspective of the wage slave at the council whose desk this ends up on. Very likely most of the grant has already been eaten up by the wages and overheads of the department. He knows nothing of chess. He's looking for the easiest solution. A couple of minutes research comes up with chess tables. Bingo! Clearly the ECF suggestion of friendly parkies keeping sets and clocks is a nonsense, but a table gives a nice picture to keep the local councillor happy. Everyone pats themselves on the back. No-one is ever going to check up on whether they are ever used. They won't be, and the legacy is a crumbling concrete eyesore.

Well this is a depressing comment. Frankly you need to be someone who gets out there and suppports an inititive to grow chess rather than whinging. Every local table needs to be adopted by the nearest league chess club. By putting on events and games you draw people to chess.

Something should be done. This is something. Therefore it should be . . .
Well, therefore nothing, actually. Whether I support it or not, whether I have a better idea or not, it's either worthwhile or it isn't. Could you outline the sort of events centred round a single table in a park that would draw people to chess? Exhibition games between club members to draw the crowds? A lone individual enticing passers-by to a friendly game? You could in any case do it a lot cheaper if the (non-existent) local parkie had a board to lend you along with the pieces and you could play anywhere you liked. It's a long time since I saw a skateboard in my local skateboard park, but at least that was something you couldn't do at home, and doing it elsewhere was dangerous for you and for others.

You don't have to accept the limitation of one table. A club can turn up with portable tables and make a celebration of it. If you want spectacular, try a Mickey Adams simul https://colchesster.org.uk/2024/03/04/j ... hess-park/; if you want street, put on a learn and play event https://colchesster.org.uk/clubs-and-me ... 00?popup=1. And. of course, if you donated some chess sets that people could borrow then 'your local parkie' would have some to lend.

[AustinElliott]

The other chess table in Bolton today in the sunshine; looks in better nick and a better location in this park too

A similar-looking concrete slab - well, two, in fact - has/have just appeared in my local park... we've been wondering what was going to go on them. We were thinking concrete table tennis table for the larger slab, but the smaller one looks around the size of this one. Could it be...?

If it does turn out to be a chess table, will keep my fingers crossed that they get the board the correct way round...

[Mick Norris]

The other chess table in Bolton today in the sunshine; looks in better nick and a better location in this park too

A similar-looking concrete slab - well, two, in fact - has/have just appeared in my local park... we've been wondering what was going to go on them. We were thinking concrete table tennis table for the larger slab, but the smaller one looks around the size of this one. Could it be...?

If it does turn out to be a chess table, will keep my fingers crossed that they get the board the correct way round...

I hope it survives better than the Farnworth Bradford Street one

[Reg Clucas]

The other chess table in Bolton today in the sunshine; looks in better nick and a better location in this park too

A similar-looking concrete slab - well, two, in fact - has/have just appeared in my local park... we've been wondering what was going to go on them. We were thinking concrete table tennis table for the larger slab, but the smaller one looks around the size of this one. Could it be...?

If it does turn out to be a chess table, will keep my fingers crossed that they get the board the correct way round...

I hope it survives better than the Farnworth Bradford Street one

Presumably someone took exception to the board being the wrong way round!

[AustinElliott]

I hope it survives better than the Farnworth Bradford Street one

That's a bit sad, especially given it had only just gone in. I know some people aren't chess fans, but mindless vandalism of free facilities is deeply depressing.

[John Upham]

A similar-looking concrete slab - well, two, in fact - has/have just appeared in my local park... we've been wondering what was going to go on them. We were thinking concrete table tennis table for the larger slab, but the smaller one looks around the size of this one. Could it be...?

If it does turn out to be a chess table, will keep my fingers crossed that they get the board the correct way round...

I hope it survives better than the Farnworth Bradford Street one

Presumably someone took exception to the board being the wrong way round!

Apparently someone observed a digital timer being used and took exception.

[Derek Sinclair]

Will we ever get games on TV again? What is Bill Hartson up to these days he was really good.

[Roger de Coverly]

What is Bill Hartson up to these days he was really good.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hartston

Recent activities have included writing for the Daily Express Beachcomber column and appearing on Channel 4's Googlebox. I don't think he has had any involvement in chess for many years.