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Events In The Park

Outdoor Chess in Queens Park – Extended!

A Busy Summer

A big thank you to all who joined us for outdoor chess in Queens Park, Glasgow, this summer.

On Sunday mornings throughout June, July and August, we brought people together initially by the flagpole, and latterly at the boating pond, for highly enjoyable casual games.

The ‘bring your own board’ tradition was started by Queens Park Chess Club co-founder Julien Papillon back in 2019, and current President Graeme McKinnon took the lead in promoting and attending the weekly meetups this year.

We generally benefited from good weather, although this being Glasgow, battles with the elements were not uncommon. More than once, we had to recover to the nearby coffee shops Glad Café and Spill the Beans.

Come rain or shine, however, each week has seen healthy numbers taking part, with up to 16 players engaging in simultaneous games, plus some curious spectators.

It has proven to be a highly effective forum for promoting the game in Glasgow and Scotland, by not only providing a convenient meeting place for local players of all ages and abilities, but in drawing in passers-by, beginners, and people from outside Glasgow, who heard about the sessions via social media and word of mouth.

Karthik and Caitlin are among the regular participants

Back by Popular Demand

The original intention was to conclude these park sessions at the end of August. Many of the regular participants have, however, confirmed a keen interest in continuing to meet into the Autumn.

Queens Park Chess Club is delighted to support the ongoing interest.

To that end, we will aim to ensure that one of our members will be present from 10am to 1pm on Sundays in September and October, to welcome people.

Please note that we can’t completely guarantee a presence from the Club on all dates – and as the weather is likely to become more unpredictable, we may have to move more frequently from the boating pond to a nearby coffee shop.

We therefore recommend that those intending to join a future session, follow updates on our dedicated ‘Chess in the Park’ WhatsApp group.

We anticipate the outdoor sessions will conclude when the clocks go back at the end of October.

A WhatsApp group is used to advise of alternative locations in bad weather

Join the WhatsApp Group

The WhatsApp group provides a channel for regular participants to connect and check arrangements for meeting at the boating pond picnic benches on Sunday mornings, or in the event of bad weather, a cosy local Café.

If you would like to be added to the ‘Chess in the Park’ WhatsApp group, please send a note of your mobile number to Graeme at president@queensparkchessclub.com or Derek at secretary@queensparkchessclub.com.

The Strathbungo Society Newsletter highlighted the park meetups

Graeme and Derek are more than happy to answer any queries from those looking to take part in future.

Meantime, weekly indoor Queens Park Chess Club meetings will resume on Tuesday 30 August.

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In The Media

Feature on ITV News at Ten

Govanhill Chess Club featured in several news items on ITV on Tuesday 28 June 2022.

Rhys, Giuseppe, Caitlin, Derek and Graeme met with ITN Scotland Correspondent Peter Smith in Queens Park. They were filmed playing games and also contributed interviews.

The footage accompanied a report on the launch of a new campaign for a second referendum on Scottish independence, with chess serving as a metaphor for strategic planning.

The report featured in the UK-wide news broadcasts at 6:30pm and 10pm, and in the lead story on the ITV News website. It can be viewed here.

Rhys (top left), Caitlin & Giuseppe in a sunny Queens Park

The filming location, the picnic benches at the Queens Park boating pond, is the same place we meet on Sundays from 10-12 for casual outdoor chess, through to the end of August 2022. Non-members and beginners are very welcome – details here