Chess & Backgammon
The Chess Area, located next to the Fountain Terrace on 6th Avenue, provides the public with chess, checkers, backgammon and Scrabble boards for a small fee. The area is monitored by game afficionados from The Village Chess Shop. Games can be arranged through the monitor, and tournaments and events take place throughout the summer.
For more information on upcoming tournaments, special events and lessons please call the Village Chess Shop at 212.475.9580 or visit www.chess-shop.com
Chess board fees
$3.00 per half hour
Backgammon board fees
$4.00 per half hour
Pétanque
Pétanque is a French game of “boules” (French for balls), where each player strives to throw metal balls as close as possible to a smaller wooden ball, named the “cochonnet”. Most games are played in teams, and are staged on the gravel area near the Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street corner. Tournaments are played on the gravel paths around the Bryant Park lawn. Game strategies include “pointing” when a player throws his ball to have it roll as close to the cochonnet as possible, and “shooting” when a player aims for the ball of an opponent, hoping to move him out of a favorable spot.
Equipment needs
A good set (3) of Pétanque balls, and a wooden “jack” (target ball).
La Boule New Yorkaise
“La Boule New Yorkaise” is a New York City Club (85 members) affiliated with the National Federation of Pétanque USA Inc. (FPUSA). In 1986, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2002 a team (3 players) from La Boule New Yorkaise won the right to represent the United States at the (men’s) World Championship. In 1994 and 2002, women players from La Boule New Yorkaise were members of the USA Women’s team which represented the United States at the Women’s World Championship.
For information, contact Mr. Ernesto Santos – “La Boule New Yorkaise” Email: info@labouleny.com.
Pétanque lesson schedule
Free Lessons given by La Boule New Yorkaise:
Monday – Friday from 11:30 am – 2:00pm, weather permitting