Store Window Chess

A half-century later:

The game of Chess at Louis Philippe   <---- click
October 07, 2013
The new window display executed by the brand Louis Philippe celebrates the essence of the brands new product line themed as Gods & Kings, a range which rejoices extraordinary men of rare breeding and sophistication who rules the world.

The early 1960s were probably pre-mall years where people did a lot more downtown shopping and store windows may have been more important.  But even malls have windows, though I don't know if many people stop to gaze at them.  Chess may not be the most exciting spectator endeavor and probably the majority of people view it with bemused expressions, but I do think having two people, maybe in costume -Dickensian or even something strange a la  Jennifer Shahade - playing an intense game of chess would draw passer-byes to stop and actually look into a store's window.    

Why do you post them on forums? These high quality articles MUST be posted in articles...not on these forums.

Wow. that was a cool idea and and a cool article.  Thanks.

""In August, I played in a tournament in Erfurt in 17.Stock a hotel. Playing in skyscraper, was very special. But to act in Loeb storefront, is even better, " —then, 15 year old Lena Georgescu, whom the article called Bern's strongest young player with a 2079 Elo (now 17 years old, with a 2121 Elo).

I was thinking of store-window chess as a way for stores to attract passers-by, but now I see it also as a way to bring chess to the public.  

I told you something...

Really, our only tangible link to the past is in written material- magazines, books, newspapers - though I guess some tv and film too.  And now video seems to be the thing.

Just following happenings "live" though contemporary publications - such as the Fischer-Karpov controversy for example - rather than reading someone's conclusions 40 years later is a pleasure.  Since most people don't have such things available to them, I think presenting findings to be a worthwhile endeavor, even if only a few people are interested. 

Thanks.  I did answer a similar comment here:  https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/tal-speaks?page=2  #22

Btw, I do have 100 and some articles here but they're a lot most in depth than what I put in the forums:  https://www.chess.com/article/search?keyword=batgirl&cat_id=

  batgirl,  he joined 14 days ago. 

Everyone here has to have joined at some point in time.

But remember I'm an alien...

A legal one, I hope.

Already approved by USA government. They called me to visit this planet.

As long as you have your green card...

BUMP

This type of content belongs at the forefront of the hot topics

Especially with GMBongholio's contribution.

Hmm.  The slow(er) pace of a chess game would lend itself quite well to a store display.  The game would unfold over a span of days thus embroiling passers by to return again and again to witness the unfolding battle.  The attraction here is multiplied by the fact that normally only static displays are placed in shop windows and it would be unusual by itself to have actual people in the shop window.

Even today, actors who work as "living statues" are sometimes employed to be in a shop window display.  Inevitably there's always a crowd about to witness the actor "break" and move perceptably...  Come to think of it, an OTB game would be quite similar, lol.  Much time spent cogitating, perhaps puffing on a pipe, a hand lifting; hesitating, then returning to rest while the player thinks further upon the move.

Quite exciting...for a shop window!

Yes I have.

Lisa Lane became the U.S. Women's Chess Champion in Dec. 1959.  This article the following year fits the topic: