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Oversized Chess Requires A Healthy Mind And Body

CENTRAL PARK-- Charlie MacPherson, a veteran chess player and active jogger, believes that fitness is the key to winning in oversized chess. After watching him win two matches last Sunday, I asked him to share his secrets.

Charlie MacPherson (above) plays a friendly game of park chess with Rupert Oswald.

"The key to a good park chess match is stretching," he told me. "If you don't stretch properly, you're going to pull a muscle, or worse, you'll psyche yourself out and not even try to reach for the queen, because she's too heavy to lift, and you know it. You'll be forced to move the smaller pieces, and that can affect your game.

"You want to be able to reach across and move any piece, no matter where they are. I've seen some guys play a timourous game, lurking on their side of the board. And why? Because they just can't reach out to the other side! That's no good. How can can you play a proper end-game with that kind of strategy?

"Some players do have a difficult time reaching to the enemy side of the board because of a stroke, or because they're in a wheelchair or something, but it handicaps them. They're forced into a defensive game because the pieces are closer.

"I recommend going to the gym at least three times a week," Charlie said, sipping his fruit smoothie. "Lift some weights, go on the bike, whatever you need. You have to exercise the whole body, not just the arms."

When asked if he thought youth might have an advantage Charlie frowned. "Sometimes younger players will try and use their youth and agility to try and play a faster game, but they're just as likely to pull a muscle jumping a knight. They don't know the limits of their body, let alone the limits of their game. They may be faster, but I can outlast those punks any day. A few weeks ago I spent the whole afternoon, and I mean the whole afternoon at the park. Game after game. Sure I was tired at the end of it, but I don't think some kid would be able to do any better. I know how to pace myself."

I asked Charlie to give a few tips and tricks for park chess beginners. "Grip is important," said Charlie. "Make sure you have a bag of talc if you need it. A firm grip on the neck of the chess piece will ensure a strong lift and move to the next square. Remember that the rules insist that a move made is a move played. Once that piece touches, I'll call them on it. Don't try to cheat like old Sherman Benhaven. He claimed that bishop slipped out of his hand. It's such a poor excuse."

Charlie also recommended playing white whenever possible. "Those ebony pieces are heavier than the alabaster. That extra weight could be critical when attacking."

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