Over The Board
2024 Documentary to debut at Bushwick Chess May 27th, Open Streets Returns
Tonight, at Bushwick Chess, we’re back to the grind with our NYCR rated May Club Rapid Tournament. Join us at Nook, 7pm for a five-round 10|2 swiss. $20 entry. Prizes for all skill levels.
Bushwick Chess Documentary is Here
Last year leading up to the 2024 NYCR Chess Club Olympiad, an annual tradition in which 90 players from chess clubs all over New York compete in a massive team tournament, documentarian David Sheckel reached out to me in regard to filming some in house footage of the club. Along with co-director Billie Mckelvie and a team of players behind the scenes, the crew followed Bushwick Chess over the course of two weeks in between July and August
Interviewed by the crew, players at the club spoke on what it meant for them to take part in the growing community of Bushwick Chess. One of our oldest club members Shreyo Banerjee states in the trailer, “There’s an inherent drive to get better at the game. When everyone’s engaged in that process that motivates you too. I find a lot of beauty in the game. The more you learn chess, the more you understand it, the more coherent your thoughts about it are, and I think that’s a really pleasurable process. Feeling your thoughts get more articulate over the board.”
After the first round of shooting finished, the crew returned to the 2024 NYCR Chess Club Olympiad to fully document the competition. In the last year their piece fully matured and is out for release. The premiere for the 28-minute documentary Over the Board is set to play its first public showing on 5/27, during club night. We invite everyone in the community, whether you’re a club member or a friend to attend this exciting showing. Check out the trailer HERE.
Hot Club Nights and Hotter Open Streets
We’re double dipping Bushwick Chess all Spring/Summer long with Saturdays being added to the rotation. Last week, Troutman Open Streets saw the first return of Bushwick Chess to the pavement, where players dropped tables and enjoyed a day of sunshine with friends. Wyatt McLean and Micah Jameson (hi) found themselves in a Head-to-Head match to start the day off, with McLean winning the ten-game blitz match, 6-4.
But even though we’ve got play outside doesn’t mean we don’t grind inside as well. Club Night last Tuesday saw the return of some dear friends of the community. Glo Liu jumped back in the fray with some games against Shreyo Banerjee, and Stale Master Cameron Hull swung by for the first time in a few months!
And that’s it for this week, chess players. Be sure to join us tonight for casual play and Head-to-Head. Check us out on Instagram or Discord to keep up with what’s going on in chess. Much love, see you over the board soon!
can’t wait for the screening!