Sidewalk chess games, a simple life in the heart of the mountain town - Cao Bang Electronic Newspaper

When the afternoon falls, on small streets, beside old wooden tables placed close to the sidewalk, familiar chess games begin again - a simple but persistent habit of many people, creating a unique street culture, quietly existing and spreading. Not noisy, not bustling, the sidewalk chess "playgrounds" contain everyday stories, simple but profound relationships. Although the pace of life is changing every day, the chess games still take place regularly, as a cultural "meeting place", where people find relaxation and connection.

Báo Cao Bằng•06/12/2025

Chess attracts many ages to participate.

In the late afternoon light, near the Na Cap intersection, Thuc Phan ward, the image of Mr. Nguyen Thang and his friends discussing or participating in quick chess games has become all too familiar. While pondering and arranging the old chess pieces in a calm voice, Mr. Thang shared: Every day, around 5-6 pm, I come here. Sometimes I meet old friends, sometimes I meet strangers, but whenever I find an opponent of "equal strength", I get excited. When I'm happy, I play a few games, but when I'm still excited, I sometimes play until late at night.

For Mr. Thang, chess is not a sport , nor a competition, but a way to keep a clear mind in old age. The chessboard opens, the neat movements of each rook, cannon, and horse become a measure of a person's composure, experience, and philosophy of life.

Right in the center of Thuc Phan ward, amidst the noise of passing vehicles, a younger player brings a different color. Mr. Nong Trung Kien, 37 years old, a technology driver, often takes advantage of the time waiting for customers to join everyone. Still holding a glass of iced tea, he said: Playing a few games helps to stay awake, not to be sleepy, and it's also fun. I'm younger than you guys, I learn a lot of good moves. There are days when I lose a lot, but I'm happy because I get to train my mind and make more friends. There are many young people like me who like to play chess and the number is increasing. I come to chess not only for entertainment but also because of its strange appeal, playing this game can train concentration, train reflexes and even help reduce stress in the middle of the work cycle.

The beauty of sidewalk chess lies not only in the tension of each move, but also in the way players treat each other.

There was no referee, no electronic board, no applause from the audience. There were only old plastic chairs, cups of iced tea, a makeshift table on the sidewalk and the familiar sound of chess pieces clacking. However, it was that simplicity that created a strong attraction.

According to Mr. Hoang Trung Son, Permanent Vice President of the Provincial Chess Federation, sidewalk chess plays a very unique role in the community: Unlike professional competitions, sidewalk chess does not focus on scores or achievements. It gives players a feeling of relaxation and refreshment and is one of the most natural forms of community activities. This is also a very good environment to spread and expand the chess movement among the people.

In fact, many amateur athletes started from street chess tables like this. Some people were just curious at first, then became “passionate” without realizing it. Some people started from daily fun to step up to the grassroots tournaments of the ward and the province.

Cao Bang today has changed, new streets have sprung up, more modern shops and cafes have appeared, and with that comes a change in the living habits of young people. However, sidewalk chess boards still persist as a quiet mark in the rhythm of urban life. It can be said that sidewalk chess is a small piece of East Asian culture, where intelligence is respected, where the elderly show their clarity and where the younger generation learns to be patient, think strategically and even in the digital age, when smartphones can replace all entertainment, live, face-to-face chess games still retain their own value. It is real communication, real emotions and connections between people. For workers, especially workers, drivers, freelancers..., chess is also a way to pause the cycle of making a living, to breathe, to think, to regenerate energy. A game of chess lasts fifteen minutes but sometimes helps them forget a long tiring day.

Sidewalk chess games exist as a spiritual support.

Despite its cultural beauty, many people believe that the sidewalk chess movement still lacks formal connections with clubs and grassroots tournaments. Many chess boards are “spontaneous” and operate naturally but have not truly become organized community activities.

Mr. Hoang Trung Son acknowledged: If we know how to take advantage of resources from the street movement, we can discover many talents, especially among the youth. The Federation is also considering organizational models to create a healthier, more organized playground, so that chess lovers have the opportunity to interact widely. Some wards have experimented with the model of small chess clubs, operating periodically on weekends. However, the number of participants is not stable because the majority of players still prefer open spaces, improvisation and freedom of the sidewalk. Obviously, street chess has its own "soul" and preserving that identity is equally important as elevating the movement.

Amidst the explosion of technology, the rise of digital entertainment and rapid urbanization, sidewalk chess games still exist as a “spiritual support” for many people. It is not only a battle of wits but also a bond that connects the community, where everyday stories are shared, where kindness is preserved through each greeting, each handshake after each game. All of these create a peaceful slice of urban life, where people still find joy not from big things but from small moments. And perhaps, that is also the most beautiful value that chess brings.

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