Story from The Brooklyn Paper
December 18, 2008
Pawns in the game of love
By Sarah Portlock
Ladies night: Christian Whitted of the New York Chess and Game Shop in Park Slope offers free chess for people without Y chromosomes on Thursdays. So if you’re name is Bobbie Fischer, this place is for you.
Finally, a place where you can check out potential mates while also check-mating them.
In the great Reese’s tradition of putting together two seemingly mismatched things, a new chess and gaming emporium on Flatbush Avenue has turned Thursdays into Ladies’ Night, where everyone from Bobby Fischer brainiacs to Bobbie Fischer rook-ies can get free chess games all night long.
The fun is at the new New York Chess and Game Shop, at 192 Flatbush Ave., near Dean Street. Owner and chess master Christian Whitted, who teaches at York College in Queens, said women always ask him where they can play outside of class. So he built out the space for them, and for budding neighborhood chess fans alike.
“We want to create a hub in the community,” Whitted said. “This is like theater of the mind — we will entertain you as well as keep you informed.”
The spot opened earlier this fall, and boasts 25 tables on two floors where gamers can play chess, checkers, backgammon, Scrabble, Monopoly or cards. There’s also a coffee counter in the corner, and boards and other chess memorabilia for sale.
And you can have all that gaming for cheap — customers rent the tables for $3 per person per hour, or challenge the resident masters. Those games are $3 for a three-minute game, $5 for a five-minute game, or $7 for a 10-minute or untimed game.
But how far will that $5 get you? Not that far.
“I can beat an average player in 30 seconds,” Whitted said, confidently.
The shop makes it money on its semi-private tutoring sessions, which are $90 for five 90-minute classes, and comes with a free chess set.
The most fun is, of course, on Thursdays.
“Ladies’ Day is always good,” Whitted added.
New York Chess and Game Shop [192 Flatbush Ave., near Dean Street in Prospect Heights, (718) 398-3727]. Hours: Daily, 11 am–11 pm. For info, visit http://www.newyorkchessandgameshop.com/.
©2008 The Brooklyn Paper
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thursday is Ladies' Chess Night!
Story from The Brooklyn Paper
December 18, 2008
Pawns in the game of love
By Sarah Portlock
Ladies night: Christian Whitted of the New York Chess and Game Shop in Park Slope offers free chess for people without Y chromosomes on Thursdays. So if you’re name is Bobbie Fischer, this place is for you.
Finally, a place where you can check out potential mates while also check-mating them.
In the great Reese’s tradition of putting together two seemingly mismatched things, a new chess and gaming emporium on Flatbush Avenue has turned Thursdays into Ladies’ Night, where everyone from Bobby Fischer brainiacs to Bobbie Fischer rook-ies can get free chess games all night long.
The fun is at the new New York Chess and Game Shop, at 192 Flatbush Ave., near Dean Street. Owner and chess master Christian Whitted, who teaches at York College in Queens, said women always ask him where they can play outside of class. So he built out the space for them, and for budding neighborhood chess fans alike.
“We want to create a hub in the community,” Whitted said. “This is like theater of the mind — we will entertain you as well as keep you informed.”
The spot opened earlier this fall, and boasts 25 tables on two floors where gamers can play chess, checkers, backgammon, Scrabble, Monopoly or cards. There’s also a coffee counter in the corner, and boards and other chess memorabilia for sale.
And you can have all that gaming for cheap — customers rent the tables for $3 per person per hour, or challenge the resident masters. Those games are $3 for a three-minute game, $5 for a five-minute game, or $7 for a 10-minute or untimed game.
But how far will that $5 get you? Not that far.
“I can beat an average player in 30 seconds,” Whitted said, confidently.
The shop makes it money on its semi-private tutoring sessions, which are $90 for five 90-minute classes, and comes with a free chess set.
The most fun is, of course, on Thursdays.
“Ladies’ Day is always good,” Whitted added.
New York Chess and Game Shop [192 Flatbush Ave., near Dean Street in Prospect Heights, (718) 398-3727]. Hours: Daily, 11 am–11 pm. For info, visit http://www.newyorkchessandgameshop.com/.
©2008 The Brooklyn Paper
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