Chess Forum

I would give a lower rating if I could. This place smells like a gym locker where someone left a sandwich covered in mayo for the summer as a prank and is full of racist neckbeards. The descendants of colonists are intentionally alienating the Latino community by referring to Mexicans as «aliens». The bags of trash who run this place think they’re clever because no one ever makes them question their world view. Stay away from this place.

Really great. I didn’t know this from the exterior, but you can walk in and play a game for very reasonable price/​hour, plus they have books as well as a wide assortment of chess sets.

While wondering the neighborhood, we happened upon this lovely little shop that sells chess pieces of all sorts and rents chess playing space. We were on a weekend trip and did not have time to play. However, the owner was super friendly and gladly talked about the evolution of the neighborhood. He was totally cool about encouraging us to browse. I wish we had such a place near home.

I didn’t know these places existed! This is a cool find for anyone who wants to come in from the arctic temperatures outside to play a friendly (or competitive) game of chess. Yes, there seems to be more male patrons … But I’ve seen one other lady here… hmmm just one

Wow what a surprise Lil gem in the village. Find this chess shop which caters to the inner kasparov in you. Large variety of chess sets varying from low end to high end made of unique metals or wood. The designs ar phenomenal. You will definitly find one that suits your taste or as a gift for someone else. I particularly liked the sandalwood or rosewood variety but the DC comics jla set was super detailed. Great service and the clerks will explain all the wares and match up the best one for your purchase.
Neat back area as well. Decorated in a chess theme and plenty of chess tables for a impromptu match. A definite chess hobbyist hangout spot for matches a purchase or to discuss things all chess.

I went in to buy my nephew a chess set and walked out buying three. The man working tonight was from Lebanon and very friendly to me and everyone who came in. I’ve worked in retail for several years and the night I walked in the guy running the joint did everything right.

I was thinking of buying a plastic tournament chess set and clock on Amazon but I decided to drop by this shop instead as I remember seeing it from when I lived in the area. I’m glad I did. As other reviewers have pointed out, this place is a throwback to another era. You just don’t see places like this in NY anymore and you wonder how they pay the rent. In the back are a bunch of tables with people playing chess and just hanging out and drinking tea. You can come in anytime and find someone to play with or take an impromptu private lesson. I brought my 9-​year old son here and he’s had a couple superb lessons from a regular named Ibrahim. In the front they sell chess sets from all over the world, including gorgeous hand carved wooden sets for collectors (I’ve heard that Sting loves this shop). What really makes this place memorable is the way the owner Imad treats you like family even though he’s never met you. The other day I came by with my wife and three kids and he gave them all little gifts and couldn’t have been more hospitable. My kids were actually puzzled as they had never seen a stranger be so kind to them. Amazon is squeezing places like this but I’m rooting for it – it really is something special (incidentally, my original purchase ended up being the same price as on Amazon).

Helpful, straight forward, and very reasonable prices. Great selection too.

This cute little chess store located right in Greenwich Manhattan… So many things to do here that involves drinking /​clubbing/​comedy …it just makes you think why would there be a chess store here…
This is A place where you can relax and play a round of chess… Soooo many adorable chess sets to choose from… chess pieces can involves the things you enjoy… such as food/show/animals…your favorite things as chess pieces how cool is that… There only one person working there… Very small and outdated shop… but it still works… Very cozy and the product is some what lovable for all ages… Pretty pricy… you get to go inside to play a round of chess as well… The time I was here which was 11:30 pm it was empty but was still opened… Not a really into chess but thought it was still a cozy little store! Why not you go in and check it out yourself! :)

Greenwich Village is rapidly becoming the hipster capital of NYC. Between the trendy St Marks Place and the vegetarian restaurants popping up all over the place, it’s growing more difficult to find those bits of Manhattan that have any old time charm left. One sunny Saturday, I went with a group of friends to The Uncommons, the new board game shop that took over the Village Chess Store not too long ago, but after playing a couple games there, I decided instead to scope out the Chess Forum across the street, because I didn’t want to learn another obscure game at the Uncommons.
Walking in to the Chess Forum, you know that you’ve left the ultra hip Village and entered into a section of a Manhattan that is slowly disappearing. It’s not hip, it’s not trendy, and it’s definitely not new… and that’s what makes it so wonderful.
In the front there are chess boards for sale, but in the back are set up chess tables and about 10 or so people playing at any given moment. I played 4 games while I was there, not bad for $ 5/​hour. Granted, I lost all 4, once to a hustler (which cost me $ 2, but I don’t mind because that’s what gives these places character), and the other to an 8 year old prodigy who played above his years.
Wooden walls and old chess boards fill the place, manned by a young Russian sounding man who looks like he inherited the place. And he explained how difficult it is to stay in business because of the rent. Therefore, I intend to hype this place because it’s the last bit of non pretension in the entire area, and I want to see this place survive. Chess is a great game, and these places should be supported, lest the hipsters completely take over.

Great place to hangout with buddies over a game of chess. Very unique shop with a wide variety of boards, quite pricey though. Love the antique feel the shop has, kinda reminds you of the 1920’s or so.

A good replacement for me for the village, but definitely an odd group.
The person in front is nice and definitely not odd but then you go to the back.
A bunch of guys, mostly 55 and up, talking rather randomly, insulting, kibitzing, laughing, etc. while Renaissance as well as Mozart plays in the background.
It is honestly a fun place to play chess and for 5 bucks an hour, it is extremely cheap in comparison to virtually everything else for chess in NY unless you wish to go to the back of a bar to play.
In terms of the actual shop:
A wide variety of chess sets, not super pricy except for the sets that really should be that price. Not enough chess clocks or books. It is mostly boards.

Creepy, smelly, filled with old men.
I was on a quest to find the original version of the game Risk. I wanted to buy it from an independently owned game shop rather than the monstrous Toys R Us in Times Square or Barnes & Noble in Union Square (by the way B &N Union Square only carries special editions of Risk not the original). I decided to check out the Chess Forum in the hope that other games might be offered (as there are other games in the display window). Upon entering I was overtaken by the strong odor, smelling similar to a nursing home, and the large all male audience glaring at me like I was the lone girl at a nude beach. The only «risk» I encountered here was the risk of staying in this creepy environment and becoming one of these gamers. I understand that some people might find this sort of «old» chess environment appealing, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.

I found this place in my freshman year of college and I come back every now and then. The owner is truly passionate about chess and shows it. He is super-​friendly and will advise you on chess sets you want to buy.
There is a large selection of chess sets. Some are mass-​produced, some are unique and handcrafted. There are also a few antique chess sets. If you want to buy a unique or interesting chess set you must come to Chess Forum.
For $ 3 – 4 an hour you can play chess in the shop. Well worth the money for the ambiance and company of fellow chess enthusiasts!

Are there any other chess shops/​forums/​congregations around that can be as original and comfortable as the Chess Forum? I’ve spent almost 20 years (18 years to be exact) coming to this venue and will spend more as long as it is open.
Blitz? Check. Players who play Bughouse? Check. ²⁴⁄₇? Check. Amazing Chess sets and Chess books, Check (No pun intended on all the Checks– Wink).
There is so much to say about this place, but for now, I’ll just give my rating and continue this review at a later date.

This place. What can I say. My gf and I love it!
We stumbled upon this place one fall Saturday evening last year and ended up staying til 3 AM playing a few long games of chess (long not because we are both great, but because we both are equally terrible). The owner is one of the funniest guys ever, and will always keep you laughing. He is a wonderul man with a simple passion: chess. In fact, I can’t remember the last time he has ever charged us (claiming that he won’t until my gf beats me). Even if he did charge us, it would cost us about $ 4 for a couple hours of chess playing. How can you beat that price in the West Village?

Thompson street in the West Village has quite a few chess shops but the one my boyfriend and I love is Chess Forum. It’s quiet, friendly. We both love the owner — he has a great love for chess & people in general. Pros come in and watch games or talk to each other about the game — from kids to adults. And it’s just $ 1 per game per person. Tea included!

What can I say about this place? It’s very tidy and well organized, a polar opposite from Village Chess Shop a few doors down. Dave was there and was very helpful. I was looking at really nice ebony sets plus board for the future but also wanted to take home a cheap weighted plastic set and a mat and he helped me navigate their many offerings. There were several outstanding deals to be had with particular pairings of sets and boards. I left with a triple-​weighted plastic Lasker set and a silicone mat that makes a great, portable full-​sized kit. I will definitely be returning to get a nice ebony set from them in the future. They have a great selection of literature from the classic method books to very specific areas such as openings and end games and they sport a nice chess clock selection as well. Plus, prices to play on the back tables are very low. This place is amazing.

It is quite frankly very difficult for me to imagine a place that seems more like home, other than my actual home, than the Chess Forum is. The employees are almost too friendly, the chess sets on sale are to die for, and for me personally, it’s incredible to be able to walk in and play a game of chess with a random stranger anytime I want.
Two thumbs up!

This place is awesome because they have sooooo many kinds of chess sets. They have this one chess set that I really want, that isn’t even that expensive, I think it was like $ 40 or $ 140, lol I forget, but it is made out of glass/​acrylic or something.
I know they have like chess meetups here, and I’ve been wanting to go to them, but it’s kinda a long cold walk. I will definitely be stopping by when it gets even a little warmer.
I miss chess. I really need to get back into it