When Steve met the chess hustlers of New York

Our intrepid chess explorer Steve Dunleavy and his wife Suzan visited New York in October, where they met the local street chess hustlers in Union Square. Steve tells us what happened; photos by Suzan.

Steve Dunleavy in New York, October 2019
Steve Dunleavy (right) against local chess player John Hill in New York, October 2019 (photo by Suzan Dunleavy)

I lost 3 games against John Hill who is easily graded 100+.

I played 3 lost 3, all on the clock against the same opponent. There was an anti-Trump demo in the background. The chess player hustlers play all day every day. There are a couple of locations that they play at. I found them on YouTube. One of the games I should have won; nice chap, very knowledgeable and helpful.

Actually it was an incredible day. A “Trump Out” protest in the background and such a wealth of diverse characters….. almost as diverse as CF Chess Club

Each game costs $5 if you lose. You have to keep a very close eye on them as they can often make illegal/inappropriate moves and pass them off as a mere mistake.

Steve Dunleavy in New York, October 2019
Steve Dunleavy ponders his next move against chess hustler John Hill in New York, October 2019 (photo by Suzan Dunleavy)

Links to some articles about Union Square chess players:

A Black and White Game: the Chess Players of Union Square

Chess hustler earns $400 a day

3 thoughts on “When Steve met the chess hustlers of New York”

  1. I enjoyed reading your report, Steve. It sounds like your opponent in Union Square (John Hill) might be able to raise his grading at will (i.e. 100+++) if the stakes were high enough?! What an experience it must have been to play a genuine New York chess hustler. Nice one!

  2. Hello,
    I’d like to license the above photo for use in a workplace art display celebrating how the game of Chess brings people together in the parks and public spaces of NYC. Are you able to pass this message along to the photographer or share her contact info with me?

    1. Hello Dan Zimmerman, thank you for getting in touch. I’ve passed your message on to the photographer. Kind regards, Kev Lamb, Chandler’s Ford Chess Club.

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