Register Now for the Washington Square Park Chess Exhibition – May 16

We are thrilled to announce the next Washington Square Park Chess Exhibition on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 12PM–4PM at the Washington Square Park Chess Plaza (rain date: Sunday, May 17). Free and open to the public, this event brings a world‑class Grandmaster to the iconic chess tables in the southwest corner of the park.

The Exhibition

This afternoon immersion in chess strategy will begin with a lecture by Grandmaster Joel Benjamin, followed by a simultaneous exhibition in which GM Benjamin will play 23 players at once. All ages and playing levels are welcome to participate, and five spots will be reserved for players 12 and under. To raise the stakes, GM Benjamin will donate a free lesson to anyone who draws—and two lessons if you manage to checkmate him.

Chess players often say that facing a titled player in the Washington Square Chess Plaza is one of the most memorable experiences of their chess lives, so we encourage you to register now, as spots will fill quickly. We are also looking for volunteers to help us run the event.

Grandmaster Joel Benjamin

Joel Benjamin is a three-time U.S. Champion (1987, 1997, 2000) and former U.S. Grandmaster of the Year, who broke Bobby Fischer’s “youngest master” record at just 13. A U.S. Chess Hall of Fame inductee and six-time Olympian, he served as a key advisor to IBM’s Deep Blue project in its historic battles with Garry Kasparov, helping to showcase the future of machine intelligence over the chessboard.

Known for inventive, offbeat openings like the Black Knights’ Tango and for squeezing wins from microscopic advantages, Benjamin combines classical fundamentals with a sharp modern edge—perfect for a live, high‑energy park exhibition.

Schedule

  • 12:00 PM – Chess Lecture by GM Joel Benjamin

  • 1:00 PM – Simultaneous Chess Exhibition
    GM Benjamin will simultaneously play 23 registrants until one player remains
    Chess Plaza, southwest corner of Washington Square Park.

Please note that the simul can take several hours, so players should plan accordingly.

About the Washington Square Association

Founded in 1906, the Washington Square Association is New York City’s oldest neighborhood and civic organization. For more than a century, the Association has helped sustain the character and culture of the Washington Square neighborhood through public programming, community traditions, and advocacy on local issues.

The Association is entirely volunteer‑driven and funds its work through memberships and private donations from neighbors, friends, and supporters who care about Washington Square. Events like the Washington Square Chess Exhibition, holiday tree lighting and caroling, and support for the Washington Square Music Festival and The Village Trip are all made possible by this community support.

Support the Washington Square Association

If you value free cultural events and neighborhood traditions in and around Washington Square, we invite you to support the Washington Square Association. You can:

Because the Association is volunteer‑run and independent of Parks Department funding, 100% of your contribution goes directly to programming and community advocacy.

Get Involved

Erika SumnerComment