u/QuietEffort6531

(6 photos including queen placement errors and setting up colors on the wrong side of the board)

I stopped at University of California Riverside September 3, which was a dumb move because most students are not there today.

Several physics grad students eating lunch noticed my chess set and one of them challenged me. We played 5+0. He was confident but his friends chuckled when I captured his queen. He got flagged and we shook hands. Fun game.

Then I drove to California Baptist University to watch a soccer game.

A mother talked his son into playing me. He's an engineering student and a sharp dude. We played untimed and I beat him. I politely told him that I had to work to beat him. He laughed and asked what kind of work? He was politely admitting that it was an easy victory. His mom was very friendly and we had a good conversation.

Then a soccer goalkeeper shows up. He's from Norway and got a CBU scholarship. His teammates supported him. He resigned and I told him I hope he does pro.

EDIT: Had one more opponent at CBU. Music production student. Super nice guy and terrific player. I lost my queen. Then he lost his. then I won. During our game, 20 of his friends sporadically showed up to root for him.

Two other students could not play today and asked me if I will be back . They were disappointed when I said probably not

Might visit another college tomorrow

(5 photos)

I'm the old guy who plays chess with strangers at airports and on cruise ships.

Today is September 2 and I drive to San Diego to see Guns and Roses. But first, I go to SDSU to hunt for opponents. I set up my mousepad board and my sign.

Two students appear. Only one knows how to play. He's an electrical engineering student. We play 10+0 time control. He is very good and we draw from repetition.

Second guy is a political science student. He wants to play but doesn't have time. I talk him into playing 5+0. Interesting game. See photo. I blundered by placing my black queen in the same file as my king. Opponent naturally moves Re1 to pin. I sigh and move Bd4+. Opponent is about to get flagged, so he panic moves Re3 to block my check and then he resigns.

Third guy is a computer science student. He plays online a lot but rarely OTB. We play 5+0. I beat him and then he beats me. He is the best player of the day.

SDSU is a beautiful campus and I will return someday.

(several photos)

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.

(4 photos)

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!

(5 photos)

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!