Playing chess with others in the park can provide an opportunity for social interaction and build new relationships with people who share similar interests. Combination of fresh air, nature and chess is extraordinary. Have you tried it?

Playing chess outside

Playing chess outside in the park with other players can have a variety of benefits, including:

Physical activity: Chess is a mental game, but playing it outside in the park can encourage physical activity, as players may have to walk or travel to reach the park, and may also engage in physical activity such as stretching, walking, or other exercises while they play.

Social interaction: Playing chess with others outside can provide an opportunity for social interaction and community building. This can be especially important for individuals who may be isolated or looking to meet new people.

Stress relief: Spending time outside in the fresh air and sunlight can help reduce stress and improve mood. Playing chess can also be a relaxing and enjoyable way to pass the time, which can further reduce stress and anxiety.

Improved cognitive function: Playing chess has been shown to improve cognitive function, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and memory. The combination of fresh air, physical activity, and mental stimulation can enhance these benefits.

Enjoyment of nature: Spending time in nature has been shown to have a variety of health benefits, including improved mental health and reduced stress. Playing chess outside in the park can provide an opportunity to enjoy nature and all its benefits.

Recently we have conducted small chess poll among chess users on LinkedIn platform group Chess Players. Here is the link to the poll. 

The question was simple as stated in the perex of this article: 

Playing chess with others in the park can provide an opportunity for social interaction and build new relationships with people who share similar interests. Combination of fresh air, nature and chess is extraordinary. Have you tried it?

180 votes, 5000 impressions. Not bad for a simple question. 

 

The result?

Almost a half (46%) states that they have never played in the park outside but would love to. Why don't we build such parks for our children, elderly, hobby player? 

It is difficult to determine which countries build the most city chess parks in the world, as data on this specific topic is not widely available. However, it is known that chess parks have become increasingly popular in many countries, especially in cities where public spaces are highly valued.

China, for example, has been known to build many city chess parks in recent years, and it is reported that there are now over 30,000 of these parks in the country. Other countries that have shown a growing interest in creating city chess parks include Russia, the United States, India, and many European countries such as Spain, France, and Germany.

 

In addition to these countries, many other nations around the world have also built chess parks to varying degrees, as the game continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds in many different parts of the world.

Ready to download the biggest chess database in the world with 9,5 millions OTB chess games? Now it's good time.

 

Do we have the right chess boards for outside?

Carrying heavy unfoldable chess board might be an issue these days. It's too big and heavy. Luckily, we just came across one good solution. iChessOne, thanks to the possibility of folding and storing all the pieces in its interior, is perfect for trips and outdoors. You can take it to the park or a cafe and play a match there remotely or with an opponent on one board.

Chess tradition adapted for modern times

iChessOne combines the beauty of chess craftsmanship with a touch of modern technology. Carved out of real wood according to an original, patent pending construction, it can boast of being the first foldable electronic chessboard in the world! The compact, portable form allows you to effortlessly take it with you everywhere, and to play however you like: in the real world or online, on your favorite chess servers.

OpeningMaster is now available on all three major podcast platforms

We are glad we can provide this service totally for free on all major podcast platform Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you can now enjoy the chess meditations whether you are fan of either of the three.

Visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel  to learn chess openings and much more. Listen to our Spotify Podcasts on weekly basis.