For Cheap Chess Players

Forget $500 or even $50. This one's even less than a cheapo. From the current issue of TimeOut Sydney and in their "Free Activities" section:

Giant Chess

You might have to wait for a game but it will be worth it - Hyde Park's giant chess board has a match happening every day all day and is a kooky, cool way to get your gaming action for free. Built in 1972, Hyde Park's chess pit rivals that of New York's Washington Square and Paris' Les Halles. Hyde Park, near Market & Elizabeth Sts, Sydney 2000