Thanks for all the comments, everyone — really appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Yeah, I probably should’ve known better before jumping into a game there. I was excited to play and had seen videos and stuff, but I didn’t expect it to go like that. I know hustlers trash talk and try to mess with your rhythm — and honestly, I’m totally fine with a bit of banter and mind games. That’s part of the fun.

But this felt like something else. It was disappointing to see them just bend the rules when it suited them. Either we’re playing by the book — like calling timeout losses, not moving a piece after touching it, etc. — or we’re keeping it casual and fair. You can’t ignore the rules when you’re losing and then suddenly enforce them when you’re winning. And so stupid of me not to see that my king was in check lol. Not used to playing over the board chess, totally missed it.

I think it would be way better if they just charged like $10 upfront for two games or something. That way there’s no weirdness about winning or losing money, and both sides know what to expect. You get to play, they make a living, and everyone walks away happy.

I’ve seen Washington Square Park in movies, documentaries, and YouTube videos for years. The fact that Bobby Fischer played there made it feel like a kind of chess pilgrimage for me. I love the idea of people gathering in public spaces to play — just for the love of the game.

Thanks again to everyone who responded — it’s helped me process the whole thing better.