A Saturday of Chess, Connection, and Community

What a gorgeous Saturday for chess at the Dane County Farmers’ Market!

On August 8, Lincoln set up across from the market and spent three hours doing what he loves: playing chess with anyone willing to sit down across from him.

By the end of the morning, he had played 14 games in three hours, finishing with 10 wins and 4 losses. Just thinking about that many games in three hours makes my brain hurt.

But the wins and losses are only a small part of what has made these Saturdays so much fun.

Lincoln played people ranging in age from 8 to 42, and we met people from Germany, Dallas, Shawano, Mt. Pleasant, and beyond. Every person who sits down brings a different level of experience and a different connection to chess. Some are serious players. Some haven't played in years. Others simply stop to watch for a while.

And sometimes, people come back.

One of Lincoln's previous opponents returned Saturday hoping to beat him again. Lincoln, however, was determined not to let that happen twice. This time, Lincoln got the win. His opponent took it in stride and said he'd be back for more.

We'll be ready. 🙂

At one point, a pretty big crowd gathered around the table to watch a game. Seeing that many people stop in the middle of a busy Saturday morning to watch two people play chess was pretty incredible.

That's honestly becoming my favorite part of this whole experience.

Chess gives people who might otherwise never meet a reason to sit down together. For a few minutes, age doesn't matter. Where you're from doesn't matter. You're just two people across a chessboard figuring out your next move.

And then another person sits down.

Fourteen games. Fourteen different opponents. And another pretty great Saturday of chess in Madison.