Washington Square Chess Simul Returns for Our 5th Year!
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 12PM - 4PM
(rain day Sunday, May 17)
Washington Square Park Chess Plaza
This afternoon’s immersive chess event at the Washington Square Park Chess Plaza will kick off with a dynamic lecture by Grandmaster Joel Benjamin, a three-time U.S. Champion, former U.S. Grandmaster of the Year, and U.S. Chess Hall of Fame inductee who broke Bobby Fischer’s “youngest master” record at 13 and later helped train IBM’s Deep Blue for its historic victory over Garry Kasparov. The excitement will continue with a thrilling simultaneous exhibition in which GM Benjamin will take on 23 opponents at once.
Free to the public, all ages are welcome to participate in the simul, and five spots will be reserved for players 12 and under.
Players must bring their own chess set (pieces and board)
GM Benjamin will donate a free lesson to anyone who draws, and two lessons if checkmated.