Ok, so I've asked the question. Now don't get me wrong. I know Black people play chess. Thing is: where are they. Where do they play? At home; in a chess club; in a bar or pub; in private members clubs; at work during lunch time? At their friends houses. Where?

I don't see chess being played. I don't here of chess taking place anywhere. I don't see any images of Black people playing chess anywhere like on television; in a newspaper or magazine. So I ask again. Do Black people play chess?

Can anyone help me out with this as I really want to know.

Yes,black people do play chess.I dont know where you're located but I grew up watching Black folk (in particular men playing speed chess )in Washington Square park in New York and up in Harlem.I dont know of any exclusively African/Black chess clubs but im sure they exist.

I'm female,I learned how to play chess when I was 6 in the UK,which was part of my extraordinary primary school education(the likes of which I dont think this countries children will ever experience again).


Anyway when I say I learned how to play chess what that means is I know the names of all the pieces and how they move,I know diddly squat about strategy,the few times I have beaten people in my life it was just a fluke.

So I was given the tools at very young age to pursue this game I just never followed through with it,I do like to watch others play though.


I take it you're a player Mr Monkey?

Yes, especially ones over 50, I know loads.

I know one bloke who feels the need to commentate as he beats me.

Black people tend to get judged by the what the youth do unfortunately..

I played chess a little bit when I was little, however I found it quite hard to understand.



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Chess was massive amongst the black guys at my school - we all had to get these pocket chess sets from a local toy store so that we could get into or continue a game at any spare moment. Not aware of any clubs or regular gatherings round my way, but still play occasionally.

Suspect there is a generational aspect to this - can't imagine folks over the age of 35 wondering whether black people played chess - they would know, even if they didn't play themselves.

In jail. Quite a few learned there.

I learned it from the White boys in high school. Only one other Black kid played though.

umbra

Yes marathon sessions on occasions. Havent done that for a while mind you. What really pisses my friend off / is quoting from the Art of War or ancient African/Chinese proverbs while plotting next move. Messes his trail of thought everytime...

And no I dont agree with Francis K's Weisling analysis of chess. Think she's pushing the boat on that one.

Yeah grew up with a bunch of boys who were all dons at chess, even used to gamble chess £20 a game back in the day. Kind of lost my touch now, the concentration levels aren't what they used to be. Was in Guadeloupe at the back end of last year and played some games with a bredrin and I could feel it all coming back to me.

I play ad hoc, make my moves and my strategy as I go along asd opposed to using 'legislated' moves with legislated openings.

Yeah I play on occassion, I got taught from young.

I've played people online too and won quite a few times.

I don't even know how to play chess or even checkers. Not too interested in board games much.

YO! I've been playing for years. Nonetheless, I do not know many Black people that play around these parts (Northern California). The people I know who do play, learned in their childhood and similarly, I picked it up in the 3rd grade. I am careful about making a general statement about Blacks and chess because many Blacks may know how to play but never actually put the knowledge into use. If it is true that few Blacks are playing, I would favor making chess a required activity for grade school children as it builds critical thinking skills.

I don't see white people playing chess anywhere, television, newpapers or magazines But I've never questioned if they play it.

Actually there was some young African kid on kids tv some years back who was a champion player, traveling the world playing against long time champions.

All the men I know who can play chess have learnt in jail as someones already pointed out. My youngest two were taught to play the game by someone who had learnt inside. Althought they have chess boards they tend to play the on-line versions with gamers from all over the world. I do know that they've played with people from Africa and the Americas

When I was a kid a lot of the old timers (especially continental Africans) used to play chess and other such games for money in the gambling houses. My own grandfather was apparently such a player...games would last for days and bets were often taken based on moves rather then just the eventual winner of the game.