Chess or not?

Early one morning at the Pike Place Market I watched this fellow set up his chess set...or is it? The figures are not arranged like on a classic chessboard...what is it?

Still in USA on a family matter.

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night....

The quotation used by the US Postal Service could pretty much apply to these taxi drivers who, while waiting for a fare, relentlessly play chess on the hood or trunk of their cars. In all seasons, too...though I really haven't seen them in the rain, but maybe they sit inside?

Are you a chess player?

ABC Wednesday "Q" is for 'Queen in a Quandary"

...and seated beside rose quartz as well. I bought this little queen at the British Museum shop in London airport a few years ago. I love her expression, and that's just how I feel these days, for I'm in a quandary about a decision I have to make reasonably soon.

Check out other bloggers' ABC Wednesday posts.

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....

Checkmate!

Probably after having read their selection of newspapers similar to those I posted yesterday, these taxi drivers are enjoying a game of chess! I see them quite often in the same location, so they must be serious rivals. When a customer comes, they take their board into a nearby cafe for safe-keeping. Notice that one of them drives a Mercedes taxi, not uncommon here, no kidding, since originally one could important an expensive car much more cheaply if it was intended for "official" business.