Pounding Our Chess

LAist is always happy to know that sometimes, local pressure by hard-core chess enthusiasts can bring about change. As was the case with Glendale's brand new chess park (227 N. Brand Boulevard) which is now the new site for speed chess tournaments every Friday evening.

Open every day and night for non-crazy, no-pressure, normal chess games — the location is fortunately not one of those intimidating locales where a chorus of "experts" will laugh at you when your Queen is taken by a pawn or when you "castle" with your Bishop and your King.

But show up and do that during the speed chess tournaments and you may never even get the license plate of what hit you as your kingdom and loyal subjects are relegated to your opponent's "graveyard."

LAist will continue our groundbreaking, up-to-the-minute breaking news about chess as it hits the AP wire.