Chess in The Round

Time: Wednesday, Oct 27th, 4-7 pm

Place: Washington Square Park

Chess in a circle is a performative participatory workshop taking place at one of the most popular locations for playing chess in New York City. The workshop orients towards encouraging female-identifying players to join a collaborative game of chess unconcerned about their level of experience. Beginner players who are intimated by the complexity of this strategic board game, but are curious to learn how to play, are specially invited to join. In addition, the participants will have a chance to interact with a unique and handmade chess set that challenges the rigid binaries of gender and race embedded in the imagery of this ancient game.

Multiple matches will take place at a circular table in the southwest square of the park. The game will be moderated by the artist and their helpers, who will read the board during the game through storytelling and pointing out minimal clues. Facing participants sitting around the circle will take turns in playing as the board changes direction. There are also additional resources such as simplified rules of the game printed out to support first-time players.

This program is generously awarded by a grant through the City Artist Corps Grants program, presented by The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), with support from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) as well as Queens Theatre.

Artist : Nooshin Rostami

Co-organizers : Harriet Bailey and Nooshin Rostami

Board Readers : Harriet Bailey, Jack Helfrich, Nooshin Rostami

Gatekeeper of the Table: Honey Mcmoney

Performers: The audience