Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

 

Anchor Cities of Megalopolis: Philadelphia. Game Board Park has to play second fiddle to Love Park across the street: a reminder that Philadelphia has had to play second fiddle to New York City since 1800. But that is what gives Megalopolis such stature: competition among so many large, influential cities. What board game does this piece represent? [2021]

Helena, Montana, USA

The rules for escaping the Corona virus were not as clear as the rules for checkmating your opponent's king in a chess match. One of the rules we tried to follow, however, was avoiding inside parties in favor of outside frivolities. Here's just one example, complete with masks, in Helena's Last Chance Gulch. [2020]

Tbilisi, Georgia

Five thousand years ago right here in southwest Asia the game of backgammon was born, and it is still being played, inside and outside, all over the region. [2016]

Andalusia, Alabama, USA

The World Championship Domino Tournament is in full swing today! In Andalusia, Alabama. Really? May we be skeptical? Why would a domino championship be held anywhere in Alabama? Or in any small town? Answers (or conjecture) welcome. [2017]

Havana, Cuba

What is the most chess-oriented country in Latin America? Cuba. The World Chess Federation puts it in 23rd place, with Russia (Cuba's former 'mentor') ranked first. Why don't we see more board games being played outside in the United States? [2014]

Battambong, Cambodia

With 185 national chess federations, you can be sure Cambodia has one of its own. Here, though, the variant is called makruk. Too bad there isn't an international board-game Olympics. If there were though, curling might have to be reassigned. [2016]

Bandung, Java, Indonesia

Also played on an 8-by-8 board is chess. It's another game that unites the nations. In fact, 185 countries have chess associations, Indonesia included! That means someone here has the chance to become a national champion and go on to the 'worlds.' [2016]

Valetta, Malta

Malta became and independent state in 1964, but the British left behind a predilection for draughts, a 2-player game, played on an 8-by-8 board. Draughts? Americans call it checkers. [2009]

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

The games are played inside Philadelphia's Municipal Services Building, but the game pieces are outside on the plaza. Here, Parcheesi takes center stage, but you might also recognize checkers and chess. Somebody better tell her that it's her move. [2017]

Worcester, Massachusetts, USA

All the world's a stage, and both these men merely players. Right now, they're performing in Act II of "The Seven Ages of Man." And, through those ages they'll dash, often unaware that every action is seen by others as performance art. The hints have been given, so let's get to the question: Whose birthday comes up tomorrow? [2013]

Granby, Quebec, Canada

"I used to love putting together jigsaw puzzles, and then I became one! Looks like the same thing happened to you. Also looks like you want to hook up! OK. I think we're compatible. And, tomorrow is Valentine's Day!" [2009]

Havana, Cuba

"I got so wrapped up in the game of dominoes that I turned into one! This is the way it goes here in Havana,where real men are dominoes champions. Now, I can really be part of Cuba's unofficial national game." [2014]

Colón, Panama

How do you while away a Saturday afternoon? With a game of rummy on the sidewalk with your friends. The city of Colon, with its vibrant street life, stands at the Caribbean entrance to the Panama Canal, and it has a definite Caribbean feel to it. [2017]

Batam Centre, Batam, Indonesia

How many people does it take to play a game of chess? Here's a case where the coaches outnumber the players. Don't these men realize there are apps that would allow them to play online from the comfort of their homes? [2016]

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Renaissance festival or medieval faire? Something is going on here at the foot of Mont Royal. The alternative hypothesis is a time warp back to Carolingian France. [2009]

San Francisco, California, USA

Portsmouth Square is the social heart of San Francisco's Chinatown, and it's never busier than on a Sunday afternoon. Before it was incorporated into Chinatown, however, it served as the plaza of the pre-existing settlement of Yerba Buena. [2016]

Sanahin, Armenia

Tables, a class of board games that includes Backgammon, have been played since the first cities made their appearance in Lower Mesopotamia, just to the south, three millennia B.C. The setting here is Sanahin, but it might as well be Ur. The expression "turn the tables" originates with this class of games. [2015]

Tbilisi, Georgia

The building on the bluff is the Presidential Palace. The game on the flood plain is chess. You have probably noticed neither yet because of the tubular structure in between. It's Tbilisi's new theater. It's been controversial, but its design seems to suggest that Tbilisi is ready for new ideas and, perhaps, a new identity. [2015]

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Standup tables are becoming more popular as components of homes, offices, and restaurants. Explanation? Perhaps the fact that we spend so much more of our time (see the clock?) sitting. If this scene were in Prague, we could say that this 'check' needs a mate. Alas, it's in Ljubljana. [2008]

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Before you know it, a new generation has taken over the gameboard and you are watching from the sidelines. Bobby Fischer: Move aside, even if today is (or would be) your birthday. A young Norwegian has taken over. At age 19, Magnus Carlsen became the number one player in the world. This month, he became the highest rated player in history. [2009]