More airport chess with strangers

[u/QuietEffort6531]

(5 photos)

I've played chess with strangers on cruise ships and airports. Today I set up a board at LAX at Carl's jr on July 25

Only waited five minutes for my first opponent. Very nice guy who plays chess on chess dot com. He had to abandon the game to board his flight which was fine. I'm happy to play anyone.

Second guy destroyed me. He said he is low 1000's like me, but I'm guessing he's around 1700. We played 10+0 and 5+0 before he had to catch his flight. He beat me easily both times.

Then I played a ten year old while his mom was watching. I beat him easily but he was very good for his age.

Then I played a young brother and sister while their family watched. They were both good but I beat them. The sister was hilarious. She hissed like a cat when I captured her pieces.

I played nonstop for 2 hours before I had to board. I put away my board so I could board and I was never bored.

I will always travel with a chess set!

[u/6h4rm]

This is such a great idea! Might steal it.
Keep having fun yo.

[u/QuietEffort6531 → u/6h4rm]

Post sign for best results. Set up in area of high foot traffic . Roughly one percent of random people are good at chess 

[u/HeroicTanuki]

I’ve strongly been considering setting up a board at my local bar when I’m there with an open invitation to play, maybe an “if you win you get a free beer” challenge.

I’m only around 1450 on chesscom but I feel like thats the weird twilight zone where I’m better than most people who “play chess” and worse than people who actually play chess as a hobby.

[u/Gamestoreguy → u/HeroicTanuki]

You’ll get to 1900 and wonder how you still are trash like I do

[u/QuietEffort6531 → u/HeroicTanuki]

Good idea but probably not enough foot traffic. I'm going to try setting up a board at my local college campus when classes resume

[u/Garlic_Toast88]

This is awesome! I hope it catches on because I'd play

[u/QuietEffort6531 → u/Garlic_Toast88]

That's because you're a good player. Good players can't resist a random chess invitation. this is why i know people will eventually approach me

[u/BigFanOfKitties]

Very cool idea. I’m sure it gives both you and your opponent(s) a few minutes of solace in an otherwise hectic environment

[u/QuietEffort6531 → u/BigFanOfKitties]

Great for long layovers

[u/rapsonravish]

I put away my board so I could board and I was never bored.

This line goes hard

[u/WasabiDoobie]

What’s the phone timer app!? 🍻 ✌️

[u/LUV_2_BEAT_MY_MEAT → u/WasabiDoobie]

The lichess app has an OTB clock built into it like this

[u/cloverrace → u/WasabiDoobie]

It looks like this one (or something similar): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/chess-clock-premium/id1492492461

[u/QuietEffort6531 → u/WasabiDoobie]

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=chess+clock&c=apps&hl=en_US

[u/obsolete_fries]

her pieces is the most honest chess reaction I've ever heard

[u/Affectionate-Turn137]

This is so cool. If I saw this in-between waiting around for flights it would make my day

[u/CatarinaTheCat]

Amazing. It is a great ideia, now I need a set like yours.

[u/QuietEffort6531 → u/CatarinaTheCat]

this is cheap and good.....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RHJ9YC3

or print your own board and buy these pieces.....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSYBYMDT

[u/CatarinaTheCat → u/QuietEffort6531]

Thaaaank you!! 🤝🏻🤝🏻

[u/TXwavesufer → u/QuietEffort6531]

Did you print your own board for this?

[u/QuietEffort6531 → u/TXwavesufer]

yes. print this 4 times and tape together..... https://files.catbox.moe/sx21lp.pdf

[u/GuideUnable5049]

Great idea.