Americans never tire of chess. And in the United States, they play in multiple locations.
Millions flock to online chess, says Daniel Lucas, spokesperson for the US Chess Federation, the official governing body of chess in the U.S. Online chess moves allow people to execute strategies against players from all over the world.
During the summer months, many Americans choose to play outdoors at chess tables. The Saint Louis Chess Club, for example, has permanently installed outdoor tables painted with boards as the club was creating Chess Pocket Parks for players in the Midwest city.
Students aged 18 and under represent the fastest-growing group of chess players, according to Lucas. Their numbers are increasing because more and more schools understand the academic benefits of playing chess, he says. Students are joining school chess clubs and after-school programs.
Chess Forum, a store that is part of a vibrant chess scene in New York, organizes competitions and casual games for people of all ages. Chess Forum is located at the original site of Chess Studio, which attracted American chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer, Dada artist Marcel Duchamp, and other luminaries. The forum is also a popular spot for first dates, says owner Imad Khachan.
Taking a date there is a smart move, Khachan says, because chess shows how a person thinks and responds under pressure, possibly even relationship pressure. He has helped coordinate several marriage proposals at the store’s chess table.
In total, about 70 million Americans are interested in chess, according to the federation’s latest study. In turn, it lost members in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, but with 83,000 members today, the number has nearly recovered.
“Americans love competition, and it’s very much a type of singular combat,” says Lucas. “You against the intellect of another person.”
Source: share.america.gov, By Lenore T. Adkins