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All the United States California Santa Monica International Chess Park

International Chess Park

This well-traveled chess park offers scenic views of the pacific and a colorful, eclectic clientele.

Santa Monica, California

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Rachel James
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  Scarlet Sappho / CC BY-SA 2.0
  Scarlet Sappho / CC BY-SA 2.0
  Adam Jones / CC BY 2.0
  agirregabiria
The park draws a fairly different group than the ones hanging out over at Muscle Beach   amanderbear
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About

Public chess parks are fascinating places, filled with people looking for a challenge, some competition, or sometimes merely enjoying the companionship of other players. At the International Chess Park in Santa Monica, the players are young and old, from seasoned pros to beginning novices. A Harvard-trained mathematician may be taking on a homeless man; a curious teenager might be squaring off against a wily street performer.

Several different languages rise from the soft murmuring at the tables, all set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean with its soft yellow beaches. Many come to learn, teach, and listen to the myriad stories the eclectic participants weave as they move their pieces around sandy, well-worn game tables.

Playing is free, and all skill levels are welcome. The only rules are the ancient rules of chess itself, and the only requirement is an understanding of the innate civility of the game. And, of course, a participant must not mind the colorful company ever-present at the park.

Related Tags

Parks Games Chess Cultures And Civilizations Architectural Oddities Architecture

Know Before You Go

Ocean Front Walk (just south of Santa Monica Pier)

Community Contributors

Added By

Rachel

Edited By

amanda 9046b0c4, drgoslee, Kergin, Michelle Cassidy

  • amanda 9046b0c4
  • drgoslee
  • Kergin
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

July 25, 2010

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  • http://www.santamonica.com/visitors/what-to-do/attractions/chess-park/
  • http://dogtownink.com/build/12/chess-park/
International Chess Park
1652 Ocean Front Walk
Santa Monica, California, 90401
United States
34.009482, -118.495096
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Santa Monica

California

Places 18
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Nearby Places

Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome

Santa Monica, California

miles away

Chez Jay

Santa Monica, California

miles away

Route 66 End of the Trail Sign

Santa Monica, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Santa Monica

Santa Monica

California

Places 18
Stories 2

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