For years, Hania and I have been going to Ann’s Florist and Coffee Bar and for years I have thought it would be a wonderful place to play chess. People linger over laptops and lattes, why not a chessboard? The game would give an added touch of class to the establishment.
Unfortunately, my one friend here who plays chess was still employed. But last week I attended Mark’s retirement party, and yesterday morning we arrived at Ann’s, chessboard in tow. David, the waiter, greeted us outside.
“I didn’t recognize you at first with the new haircut,” I told him.
"I didn’t recognize you,” he said, “without your wife.”
Mark beat me handily though not, as I had feared, swiftly. Evenings he plays people online around the world; I last played regularly during martial law in Poland. I was a little disappointed that no one came over to observe our moves – as they do with players on Calle Ocho – but perhaps the sight of two men playing chess on Las Olas Boulevard was too much of a novelty. We need to make it a habit.
