Saturday, January 16, 2010

Purple chessmen

I've shown you chessplayers once or twice before like on the street, but these gentlemen in Kalemegdan Park are true enthusiasts. Check out the little cushion under the man in beige pants' derriere (Serbs have a mortal fear of catching cold), and it appears that the man with the bandaged hand is particularly concerned about the safety of his bag that he has draped over his arm.

And dig those purple chess pieces....

9 comments:

Lowell said...

Now these are committed chess players...curious, though, is the group in the background. I wonder if something more exciting is going on at that table?

It looks a bit chilly to be sitting outside playing chess!

Chuck Pefley said...

The bag kept secure is a telling detail, as is the cushion. I see the cushion man has his bag carefully tucked in front of him. Is grab and run all that common in Belgrade?

Love the crisp look of that winter sunshine! Gray and drip, drip, drip, splash, drip here.

Louis la Vache said...

The purple chessmen reming «Louis» of I've never seen a purple cow/I never hope to see one/But I can tell you anyhow/I'd rather see than be one!

Tash said...

A great capture of a real moment. Purple chess pieces?? How modern! I was thinking, wouldn't it be something if I recognized someone in the photo? But I don't. The men look good - pays off to stay out of 'promaja'. I remember a train ride with my husband in old Yugo, where the cabin was so stuffy but no one dared open the window even a bit.

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

great capture and your observations of the details are very interesting. i love the purple chess pieces.

Unknown said...

Before I had ever visited Kalemegdan Park, our young Serbian "son", referred to it as "the place where the Grandpas go." You have captured it just as he described it to us.

Thérèse said...

Great pic!
A better way to stay concentrated is to hold one's bag while playing... :) I love the title...

Jilly said...

Love this and the obvious camaraderie between the men. Don't women play chess in Belgrade?

Gaelyn said...

Another great candid shot Bibi. They onlookers all look very absorbed in the games and the players show great concentration. Never before seen purple chessmen. Provides a nice glimpse into the park.

THE MARKET AFTER HOURS

 Merchants have all packed up and gone home....