When did people start going to Washington Square Park to play Chess?

Everytime I go to Washington Square Park, I always see people there sitting on the tables and playing chess. How long has people been going there to play chess? When did this start? And why do they do it?|||It's been going on since at least the 1950s, probably before that.


And why not? It's a great place to go if you are itching for a game of chess, because there are convenient public tables and almost always someone interested in playing chess (and taking your money in the process). Washington Square Park has attracted a lot of different groups of folks over the years, including NYU students, beatniks, and others whose free time during the day allows them to indulge in chess marathons. There are also several chess-supplies shops nearby, so you can go buy your own board or a book about strategy.|||Beware of chess hustlers. They will be more than happy to seperate you from your cash.