Washington Square Park checkmated today as the NYC Chess Tournament drew 1,500. Over 250 players—kids to pros—battled 120 boards; a Bronx teen’s upset won; X hit 7,000 posts. Her queen sacrifice—$1,000 prize—stunned GMs. Free lessons—400 learned openings; 79°F sun shone. NYC’s brain game—park’s alive.
Organizer Malik Shah, 51, set 60 tables—tourney ran smooth. Winner Jada Lee, 17, used Sicilian Defense—crushed pros. A speed chess side event—10-second moves—drew 300; laughs echoed. Players fanned boards; sun warmed. Chess’s surge—NYC’s mind moves.
It’s not perfect—crowds broke focus; phones rang. Some boards wobbled—park’s uneven. Still, 250 players, 1.5K fans—event’s a hit. Post-games, Village buzzed—chess talk flowed. Monthly now—NYC plays.
Shah’s 51—chess guru? Lee’s 17—prodigy rises. NYC thought; park glowed. Chess Tourney—checkmate.
