by
John Bain
The Santa Monica International Chess Park operated for decades, located on the beachfront strand at 652 Ocean Front Walk–just a few yards south of the iconic Santa Monica Pier and a short walk farther south to Venice’s “Muscle Beach.”
The Chess Park hosted players ranging from pre-kindergarten children to those approaching 100 years old–some players were beginners, some patzers, some hustlers, some Masters and some were world-famous international Grandmasters.
A concrete chess board was imbedded in the ground allowing large chess pieces to be used along with an overhead demonstration board where the chess moves were displayed to spectators.
Entering the 21st Century, the Santa Monica City Council authorized and invested tens of thousands of dollars ($$$) to renovate the Chess Park–installing all new, high-quality, sturdy tables, chairs, chess boards, beautiful umbrellas and the giant concrete chess board with large pieces on the ground as well as the large overhead demonstration board.
The Chess Park featured fourteen tables, four chess boards per table and ten smaller tables with one chess board per table–enough tables, chairs and boards to seat 152 chess players!
The Problem
Homeless people–also known as unhoused people–including alcoholics, drug addicts, criminals and all their drug paraphernalia, tarps, equipment, dumpster food and trash overran the Chess Park 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The elected Santa Monica City Council proved hapless in developing a policy to police, manage and preserve the asset and the legacy of the once beautiful chess park.
Council Overwhelmed by Complaints
Like a pawn storm on a castled King in a chess game, the neighbors’ and tourists’ complaints overwhelmed the elected City Council.
The Council did not take well to the criticism.
The Council put their heads together searching for a solution, hoping to salvage at least a draw from a challenging position–and found a solution!?
The Solution?
Worse than a Chess Blunder?!
The Polish-French Grandmaster Saviely Tatakover once famously said, “No one ever won a chess game by resigning.”
Ignoring the advice of Tatakover, the Council tipped over its King, capitulated to the drug addicts, alcoholics and criminals–and resigned from the fight in a position that had many possibilities for a draw.
Demolition!
Instead, the Council authorized $10,000.00 to demolish the beautiful sturdy tables and chairs–each embedded in solid concrete foundations. The demolition crew uprooted tables & chairs, jackhammered the giant concrete chess board on the ground, tossed the umbrellas into the trash, and destroyed the Chess Park, essentially creating a large sandbox.
Problem solved! No more tarps draped over the tables and chairs, no more homemade porta-potties dug under the tables, no more drug paraphernalia, equipment, dumpster food and trash covering the table tops.In fact, no more chess tables, chairs or chess players!
To date, the elected Santa Monica City Council has not shared with the public the other solutions considered–in chess called variations–that might have salvaged the endgame.
Any suggestions?
The Way It Was
An oldtimer enjoying a game of chess at The Santa Monica International Chess Park.
Be Ready To Play Chess
when
The International Chess Park Re-opens!
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