Picnic: Checkmate In The Park

Title: Chess In Hyde Park.
Status: Open to the public.
Distance:15 minutes walk.
Location: Hyde Park, near corner of Elizabeth and Market Streets.
Cost: Free.

Here is where those who are passionate about chess gather. The photograph was taken on a Saturday afternoon and shows a player moving a piece on the giant chess board. He was winning, but couldn't quite get to checkmate yet. Passers-by find the big board fascinating, and love watching the decisive strides to move pieces contrasting with tentative walks onto the board of those less sure. There is often advice over moves to be heard from those watching. It ranges from the polite "good move" to the less polite "You bloody mug, he'll have you." Generally, however, the deep thought and pressure of public matches creates an atmosphere of smoldering excitement.

Under the trees around about there will be several standard size boards set up on tables or park benches with intense players surrounded by small knots of onlookers.