Hacker News Reader

Comment by ugh | Hacker News Reader

Playgrounds shouldn’t have chessboards if they also have rules prohibiting adults without kids. Stupid planning is responsible for this ridiculous outcome.

View on HN

I suspect the chessboards and rule came from different generations. During the "Searching for Bobby Fischer" era, the beat cops would probably have gotten to know the regular chessplayers and used them as resources -- i.e., asking if they had noticed strangers in the neighborhood. Nowadays, not so much, apparently.

Not to out myself as a nerd, but if my history is any indication, some kids play chess. And even checkers.

Sure, but how is that relevant for my argument? Kids and adults enjoy chess and checkers, both should have access to public chessboards, slides and swings are for the most part only enjoyed by and only safe for kids.

There are lots of chess boards outside of playgrounds. They are generally occupied by adults. I think the point of putting the table inside the playground was specifically to enable kids to use it.

Amending the sign to read something like "no adults, unless playing or watching chess, but not if a child has been waiting to play, except ..." would get complicated fast. Just go to a different park already.

What, because anyone under 18 doesn't play chess? Or because a 8x8 grid of colored squares is an expensive feature to add.

If that IS the case, we have bigger problems.

Not at all. I’m all for chessboards and I’m all for kids learning and playing chess, but the boards should be put in an area where both adults and kids have access.

With a simple rule change you wouldn’t even have to change anything about the playground layout. Just allow unaccompanied adults playing chess and nothing else and the problem is solved.

You say that - but what if the checkers players move in? You could have gang war

Reply on news.ycombinator.com