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| The man playing black pieces won the Championship. |
Incognito Brooklyn chess prodigy wins the Pioneer Square Blitz Chess 2010 Championship
This post originally appeared on The New Pioneer Square, a blog that shares pictures, news, and events from Seattle's first neighborhood.
Guest post by a Pioneer Square resident
Posted by thenewp2 at September 17, 2010 11:31 a.m.
The Pioneer Square Blitz Chess 2010 Championship was held a few weeks ago to put some zip into the neighborhood. In blitz chess, each player has five minutes to make all the moves. A second more spells sudden death. Pieces fly across the board faster than ping pong balls.
The exciting event drew many local experts and budding Bobby Fischers but annoyed the marginalized under layers of blankets on park benches. Who were these uppity intruders to their domain?
Two indeterminate age men, unkempt hair spilling off knit caps and untied boots sticking from filthy jeans, shuffled over. "I play chess," mumbled one, eyeing the rows of neatly laid out chessboards and digital clocks. "Fifteen bucks entry fee," he was told. "Ain't got money," he growled. "I can beat your whole lot," slurred his buddy. "Played 20 years at sea." "Fifteen bucks," the organizer repeated. They turned to leave. "Wait," came a voice, his face hidden in a black hood, a bill held between two fingers. "Go sign up and no bullshit."
Behind them stood a ruffled hair, unshaven drifter in windbreaker and backpack. The polite volunteer hesitated. "Fifteen dollars entry fee, please." The newcomer nodded and counted out singles and quarters.
Working pro bono from a leading chess club, the tournament director glanced suspiciously at the entry form. "Your U.S.C.F. rating is 2,300?" he scoffed, a ranking of National Master in America. The stranger calmly smiled, yes. At that level, he was put on top of the leader board to begin the contest.
"You can put down any number you want," someone smirked.
Rest of the story.
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