Washington Square Park checkmated today as the NYC Chess Tournament drew 1,000. Over 200 players—kids to grandmasters—battled on 100 boards; a Bronx teen’s upset won. Her queen sacrifice in round 5—X clips hit 5,000 views—stunned pros. Free lessons at 10 a.m.—300 learned openings. NYC’s brain game—park’s alive.
Organizer Malik Shah, 50, set up 50 tables—tournament ran smooth. Winner Jada Lee, 16, took $1,000—her Sicilian Defense crushed. A speed chess side event—10-second moves—drew 200; laughs echoed. Sun hit 80°F—players fanned boards. Chess’s surge—NYC’s mind moves.
It’s not perfect—crowds disrupted focus; phones rang. Some boards wobbled—park’s uneven ground. Still, 200 players, 1,000 fans—event’s a hit. Post-games, Village buzzed—chess talk flowed. Monthly now—NYC plays.
Shah’s 50—chess guru? Lee’s 16—prodigy rises. NYC thought; park glowed. Chess Tourney—checkmate.