u/QuietEffort6531

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Today is August 12 and I'm Flying from Boston to California. I got to the airport three hours early so I could play chess with strangers like I usually do.

At 10:20am, I set up my chess set at Starbucks near gate B17.

First opponent was a 12 year old with his mom giving advice. He started learning chess on Duolingo a month ago. I beat him easily but he was pretty good. His mom looks like Dina Belenkya so I did a double take when she showed up.

Next came 10 kids and their camp counselor.

First kid was hilarious. He looks and acts like Ad-Rock from the Beastie Boys. He put $5 on the table and dared me to play for money, but I refused (I would had if he were an adult). He said he is a grandmaster with 11,000 (yes eleven thousand) ELO. So we started playing and his friend immediately starts helping him with moves using his phone. I laugh and ask him to stop cheating but they persist. I beat him anyway because they're not good at cheating using a phone. Then he tries giving me the $5 but I refuse! LOL

I play 3 other people in their group including the counselor and beat them.

Then I let the counselor play against a kid in his group.

The counselor is about 25 and from England. The kids are American. We talk about soccer during our game.

Another successful morning. I will always show up early to airports to play chess!

EDIT: Just played a ramp agent at Baltimore airport. I beat him at 10+0 but then he beat me at 5+0. now boarding to San Diego

best part is the photobomb by the woman. and i kinda like the wig. i am not gay but i am the gayest straight man you will ever meet. no lie.

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Today, July 28 at DFW airport.

Set up chess seat around noon. My flight is delayed four hours which is great for chess.

2 young people who work at fast food in the airport show up. She doesn't want to play but he does even though he is a chess beginner. I beat him easily but he is loving every minute of it

Next is an army armor veteran who is near my age. He is pretty good but I beat him. While we were playing, a man claiming to be 1700 ELO wanted to play but didn't have time. He watched for ten minutes.

Then a quality engineer who works on F -35 jets shows up. He is very good but I beat him. He is just rusty.

Then out of the blue, the fast food worker reappears and offers me free food! He asks me what I would ike. I request pie and he delivers! What a nice guy

Last guy has lots of tattoos. He looks like a tough guy and I mean that as a compliment. He doesn't even sit down. He says he's in a rush and starts moving pieces. He was good but he is perplexed by my hippo defense. I beat him and he smiles and rushes to his gate.

Quickest delayed flight ever!

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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!

I'm the guy who just learned about this band a week ago. I flew from California to catch their last usa show this year. So excited! Pit tickets were only $36 on resale today but I wasn't quick enough. This will be so fun.... EDIT: that was fucking amazing. I did not expect those guitar skills from ca7riel. very similar to guitar by Prince.

Plenty of room to move around

My first esports event. Excited!

I'm the US Army veteran who is not a gamer. I just got tickets to all 4 events at Mandalay Bay! Super excited. Now I'm gonna research the hell out of the players and the game maps.

hi guys i am not a gamer but this event looks fun. trying to decide between a single ticket or a pass for the whole event. do you think i would enjoy it? i'm a US army veteran so the combat looks fun to me. EDIT: the only time i played a game like this was Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (2001) which i enjoyed.... https://youtu.be/RiO3Qj9GLVo