Queens’ Chess Tourney Moves in Jackson Heights

Jackson Heights clicked last night with Queens’ Chess Tourney, checkmating NYC’s spring at a 37th Avenue café. Player Jay Patel took a knight as 100 watched, a $10 entry clash of minds. It’s borough brains—pure Queens vibe, boards hot. A kid lost fast; a pro claimed king. ‘Queens thinks—this is it,’ Patel says, resetting pieces. The tables turned battlefield.

The tourney’s fresh—March 27’s start, it tripled since RSVPs, packing seats by 6 p.m. Patel’s a Corona master; last night’s crowd hit max—clocks ticked. A latecomer nabbed a spot; moves flew—NYC grit glowed. Prizes hit $200—smarts ruled. #QueensChess trended; Brooklyn wants a pawn.

Some griped—’Too quiet,’ sniped a loudmouth, dodging silence. Space squeezed—latecomers stood; focus held. A rival’s pitching a Flushing match, splitting boards. Still, 150 stayed—check reigned. Jackson Heights’s never moved so bold.

Patel’s teasing a monthly run, maybe a park if spring bites. ‘NYC’s game—this plays it,’ he says, packing pieces. The tourney’s a Queens win—grit meets mind. It’s a chess rush; catch the next. Bring a clock—time calls.