“Check” out outdoor chess in NC

Let’s face it: we’ve all had to modify our lives since COVID’s arrival in early 2020. We’ve successfully moved many indoor activities outdoors, and chess is no exception. Here in North Carolina, the winters are mild enough for folks to play outdoor chess year-round, making it a safe and fun option for everyone. 

If you’re looking to get a game going on an outdoor board, here are some safe spaces from west to east in NC that you can “check” out:

Pritchard Park, Asheville – stone tables, bring your own pieces

Atherton Mill, Charlotte – giant outdoor chess set

Country Place Park, Matthews – three tables with chess boards, bring your own pieces

Winston Square Park, Winston-Salem – sculptural metal table called “Lateral Thinking”, bring your own pieces

NC Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill – giant metal chess set

Church Street Park, Morrisville – concrete chess tables, bring your own pieces

Playtime in the Park, Downtown Park, Cary – chess table, bring your own pieces

Fenton mixed use community, Cary – giant chess in the Backyard

SAS, Headquarters, Cary – outdoor chess set

Duke Tower Hotel & Condominiums, Durham – giant outdoor chess set

Fayetteville Street, Raleigh – stone chess tables, bring your own pieces

Moore Square Park, Raleigh – view the Moore Square Programs and Events Calendar and look for the regularly scheduled 10am – 5pm “Game On!” events which include giant and regular chess

Marbles Kids Museum, Raleigh – giant chess inside museum, admission required 

Eastgate Park, Raleigh – chess table in the playground area, bring your own pieces

Artsplosure, Raleigh – giant chess set provided by Moncure Chessworks

Vick Park, Selma – outdoor chess tables, ask staff for board and pieces

Town Common Park, Greenville – outdoor chess tables, bring your own pieces or check out a set at the Sheppard Memorial Library

Sheppard Memorial Library, Greenville – keys to the giant chess set are available at the library front desk

Story Park at Main Library, Wilmington – giant outdoor chess set

Harbor Station Townhomes, Wilmington – giant outdoor chess set in the amenity center

There is also a chess park proposed for Mebane.

Please let us know about any other outdoor chess spaces in NC, and we’ll update this article.