Chess Lecture and Simul Series and Beginner Chess Workshop
Learn play techniques from world-renowned chess experts and put your skills to the test at the newly restored Chess & Checkers House!
Join us in Central Park this summer as we celebrate the newly restored Chess & Checkers House and the return of the Conservancy’s beloved Chess Lecture and Simul Series. Chess masters will walk players through some of their most brilliant moves before facing off against 30 participants simultaneously!
We are also delighted to announce we will hold a beginner’s workshop with our annual lecture and simul series from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Participants will be taught the game rules, including how the pieces move and how to recognize and execute basic checkmate patterns. There will also be opportunities to ask the chess experts questions.
- 10:30 am: Check-in opens for the lecture and simul.
- 11:00 am: Lecture promptly begins. Simul registries are encouraged to attend the lecture to participate in the simul.
- 12:00 pm: Simul will begin.
- Capacity is limited to 30 simul participants.
- 1:00–2:00 pm: Beginner workshop begins.
- Capacity is limited to 15 participants; however, walk-up spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
This event is free. Register in advance to secure your spot in the simul or the beginner workshop. Registration opens one month prior to the scheduled program date. A limited number of walk-up spaces will be available on a first-come, first-served basis
Featured Grandmasters and International Masters
-
Saturday, July 13, 2024
INTERNATIONAL MASTER FARAI MANDIZHA
International Master and inspirational chess coach Farai Mandizha has participated in the Chess Olympiad since 2012. He now leads the nationally recognized Hunter College Elementary School chess teams in New York City, where he helps students become better players and—more importantly—better thinkers. -
Saturday, August 10, 2024
GRANDMASTER JOHN FEDOROWICZ
10:30 amBronx native, global chess champion, and author John Fedorowicz became known as a force in American chess almost a decade before he earned the title of Grandmaster and twice represented the U.S. in the World Chess Olympiad. Today, he spends much of his time participating in NYC’s chess community, teaching chess to children, and giving private lessons. -
Saturday, September 7, 2024
INTERNATIONAL MASTER RUSA GOLETIANI
10:30 amGeorgian American chess player Rusudan “Rusa” Goletiani hold the FIDE titles International Master and Woman Grandmaster. After a string of victories at the World Youth Chess Championship in the 1990s, she moved to the United States in 2000 and won the U.S. Women’s Chess Championship in 2005. -
Saturday, July 13, Saturday, August 10, Saturday, September 7
CHESS FOR BEGINNERS WORKSHOP
12:30 pmWe are delighted to announce we will hold a beginner’s workshop with our annual lecture and simul series from 1:00 pm to –2:00 pm. Participants will be taught the game rules, including how the pieces move and how to recognize and execute basic checkmate patterns. There will also be opportunities to ask the chess experts questions.
Join the Central Park Conservancy's Chess mailing list to receive event news, information, and more about future chess programming in Central Park.