Post by Wookiee on Apr 18, 2006 16:24:58 GMT -5
Playing chess out of doors will soon be a ticketable offence in America's largest city. A spokesperson with Mayor Rudy Giuliani's office confirmed today that a bylaw is planned to prohibit persons from engaging in the world's foremost intellectual game anywhere in a public setting.
"We've taken great strides in combatting litter, panhandling, and other urban blights", said spokesperson Frank Marshall. "This is really just the next logical step."
The plan calls for a fine of $100 for a first incident, increasing to $500 for repeat offenders.
Those persons carrying on a simultaneous exhibition will face much stiffer penalties, and anyone caught playing the Latvian gambit could be hit with jail time.
Open-air chess has had a long and colorful history in New York. For decades, addicts of the game have gathered in Washington Square to play fast-paced "blitz" chess and enjoy each other's company. But this proud tradition is soon to come to an end.
"We see this as the first step in a 'No Nerd New York' campaign", said the spokesperson. "Everybody knows that chess players are gormless wimps who dress funny and can't get a date. We want to promote a more hip image of our great city."
When confronted with the fact that Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, movie star Will Smith and rock legend Sting all are chess fans, Mr. Marshall merely replied, "yadda, yadda, yadda".
"We've taken great strides in combatting litter, panhandling, and other urban blights", said spokesperson Frank Marshall. "This is really just the next logical step."
The plan calls for a fine of $100 for a first incident, increasing to $500 for repeat offenders.
Those persons carrying on a simultaneous exhibition will face much stiffer penalties, and anyone caught playing the Latvian gambit could be hit with jail time.
Open-air chess has had a long and colorful history in New York. For decades, addicts of the game have gathered in Washington Square to play fast-paced "blitz" chess and enjoy each other's company. But this proud tradition is soon to come to an end.
"We see this as the first step in a 'No Nerd New York' campaign", said the spokesperson. "Everybody knows that chess players are gormless wimps who dress funny and can't get a date. We want to promote a more hip image of our great city."
When confronted with the fact that Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, movie star Will Smith and rock legend Sting all are chess fans, Mr. Marshall merely replied, "yadda, yadda, yadda".
