A Nation of Chessers

In cities right around the world, there is bound to be some park or street corner that is home to chess players. In Sofia, Bulgaria - that special place is right in front of the National Theatre Ivan Vazov.

The Sofia Echo sets the scene:

Even when the brisk autumn air chases away park fans in the sunny afternoons, the chess fanatics are still there. The place with the marble chess tables near the fountain is usually crowded.


The group of chess lovers is often clamorous, but always concentrating, with more gazers and supporters than real players; each viewer a potential undercover chess player. One thing is for sure: everybody here is an expert on everything, always ready to give his opinion.

Read more here.