can dogs learn how to play chess

Saw a lady come into the cafe one day, with her dog...it was a white poodle, a big one too! She comes over to our table, and all of us there were in a state of ????? The lady takes the dog off her leash, and she walks towards the counter as if sher were going to order something, leaving the dog with us. The dog pulls up a chair and sits down next to us...now ALL of us are giving this dog that WTF!?!? wrinkled eyebrow look. The dog sat on the chair like a human would, then started to pull out a chess set from her bag, and began to speak:

"Hi! Is it all right if I play with you guys? They don't allow dogs in the chess club downtown...I'm good with Queen Pawn openings, I'm probably a 1500, so who's up for a game?"

Well, the lady who brought the dog in was one of those that didn't know how to play, so she just sat near the coner with her legs crossed, face buried into her phone.

But I think it's so cute to see dogs finally pair up with humans! The dog even wore reading glasses and wears them while she played, and she records all of her games too. So adorable.

Such silliness on a Monday morning!! Thanks everyone! Multiple laughs for the day!!

There's an old tale (which is possibly made up but you never know, it could be true) about a dog which had a provisional rating, because the away team turned up a player short, but the home team was also a player short, so they put the dog on bottom board in order to claim the default point. This being before computers came along, there was no explicit rule saying that players had to be humans.

my dog eliminated my queen and two pawns. Well played I would say. Can't let him play too often though, chess sets are expensive.

The only thing wrong about playing dogs at the chess cafe, is if they get thirsty, they need to have their ice tea (or favorite beverage) in a bowl and slurp it out, usually making a mess. So if any Canines on this site want to play with me, may I ask that you place your bowl on the floor next time.

Dogs are driving cars now ... so how hard can chess be? 

I once played a German Shepard at the chess cafe...he comes in, says "Care for a game? I'm not that good, though." The doggie handed my ass to me! WOW he must have been a 2100 rated, I don't know, but he was very strong. I left a piece haging or two, but one thing is for sure, I'm not going to fall for that "Oh boy you better take it easy on me" line again. Take a look!

i taught my dog to play chess. he played with the white pieces. he absolutely whipped me.

you played the kings gambit...

come join my lettuce club we love dogs here too: https://www.chess.com/club/lettuce-romaine-calm/join

Great thread thank you!