“Classical music plays because it sets the mood for playing,” said Sebastian Montalvo, 22, who posts videos of several of his games around the city on his TikTok. “If you had to play dubstep here, it would be really hard to concentrate. »
Mr Montalvo, who started playing chess aged 18, said he became “obsessed” with the game after a friend brought a chess board to school.
“He completely destroyed me, I’ve never been so embarrassed,” he said. “I had never lost like that. »
Soon he was getting up to speed with games in Union Square, Washington Square, Bryant Park and the Chess Forum.
“I’ve never been so obsessed with anything in my life other than chess,” Mr. Montalvo said. “And you meet so many people. The people you meet, who you would never have thought of.
Jim Ferraiuolo, 71, played against Jason Puello, 27, on one side of the narrow room while Luke Scarpa, 30, and Michael Bloom played on the other side.
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