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Simon Tchoukriel
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 29 ต.ค. 2011
EMPIRE STATE OF CHESS - Documentary on Chess in NYC During COVID
The game of chess has been bringing New Yorkers together for years in parks, squares, cozy clubs and tournament halls. But how can this beloved pastime survive amid a pandemic? Meet the city’s most interesting pawn pushers, grandmasters, club owners and street players who keep the hope, and the game, alive.
This past year, as a The New School Documentary Studies student, I was given the opportunity to make a short documentary on any topic in New York City. After The Queen's Gambit was released on Netflix last Fall, my brother and I started researching #chess in New York City.
#EmpireStateOfChess is a film about chess in New York at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chess is one of the oldest and most popular activities in NYC, and has brought New Yorkers together for years. This film explores how the NYC chess community adapted to the imposed restrictions from the ongoing health crisis.
For months, I filmed with many of NYC’s most influential chess players and advocates including @carl_neblett, Union Square’s most famous and dedicated chess player; Irina Krush, the only active female American Grandmaster (@irina.krush); Shawn Martinez, National Master and one of the best chess coaches in the country (@pushingpawnsnyc); and Imad Khachan, owner of the @chessforum, the last old style New York chess store and game parlor still open to the public. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey to film this documentary and I’m beyond thankful to have met these people along the way.
The film, completed in June 2021, won the National Board of Review (@NBR) Student Grant and was screened at Doc NYC, NYC Film Week as well as other festivals in the U.S.
Enjoy!
Sy.
This past year, as a The New School Documentary Studies student, I was given the opportunity to make a short documentary on any topic in New York City. After The Queen's Gambit was released on Netflix last Fall, my brother and I started researching #chess in New York City.
#EmpireStateOfChess is a film about chess in New York at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chess is one of the oldest and most popular activities in NYC, and has brought New Yorkers together for years. This film explores how the NYC chess community adapted to the imposed restrictions from the ongoing health crisis.
For months, I filmed with many of NYC’s most influential chess players and advocates including @carl_neblett, Union Square’s most famous and dedicated chess player; Irina Krush, the only active female American Grandmaster (@irina.krush); Shawn Martinez, National Master and one of the best chess coaches in the country (@pushingpawnsnyc); and Imad Khachan, owner of the @chessforum, the last old style New York chess store and game parlor still open to the public. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey to film this documentary and I’m beyond thankful to have met these people along the way.
The film, completed in June 2021, won the National Board of Review (@NBR) Student Grant and was screened at Doc NYC, NYC Film Week as well as other festivals in the U.S.
Enjoy!
Sy.
มุมมอง: 13 788
Very cool and nostalgic. I visited NYC this summer and had a great time. I played the hustlers at both Union Square and Washington Square, visited the Forum, and played otb at Marshall Chess Club. By far, my favorite was Marshall Chess Club. There were several recognizable faces due to online chess - very strong players in general. Playing at the parks was also a lot of fun and all the hustlers were very polite. The Forum was dirty and poorly maintained - very disappointing. But overall, it was great to see how chess is alive and well in 2024.
thank you! Was Carl there when you played the hustlers in Union Square? I haven't been to the forum in a minute but I hear it's thriving. Really great to see how chess is alive and well in 2024 indeed. Thanks for your comment.
@@simontchoukriel . I forget the names. There was a friendly tall black gentleman sitting next to Russian Paul who I played a couple of games. Everyone was very polite with various skill levels. I won some and lost some. lol
I will check mate both of yall together 😂
Ha love Carl!
Great vid, but $25 for a game of Chess is ridiculous
@@LeedsAway Covid prices! Ha
Denzel Washington!
🔥
thank you !
Great chess documentary! Any more coming up?
thank you !
I'll checkmate the both of you together
😂 Carl is such a funny character.
Co\/id was a ruse to sell an experimental product, 2022 there was a shortage of mega yachts for the billions of new billionaires.
Thank you for this. I really enjoyed it. Hoping to one day come and play chess in NY. When that time comes will see if I can make contact with you. FM Cupid here.
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. Definitely reach out when you're in NYC. We'll go film in Union Square or Washington Square Park.
no way you got only 30 subs. Great documentary.
ha thank you! I should post more :)
@@simontchoukriel yeah, keep up the good work man, really looking forward to more from you
@@nhatan2511 thank you so much! working on a series of cinematic short films in the city... will post the first one soon.
This deserves more views! Great documentary 👍
Glad you enjoyed it! thank you so much
Felt like a movie. Great skill for transfering the feeling and empathy. I hope u make it one day !
thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. Working on a new piece... more cinematic. Keep you posted!
@@simontchoukriel sure thing. I think that chess leaks these kind of cinematic edits to really make it go big and grab wider audience that will watch it
I almost forgot how crazy people got over the vaccines lol
Crazy!
Really enjoyed this!
thank you so much :)
Wow I've never expected someone who will make a documentary from 10 subs! Keep it up hoping for more docs in the future!
thank you!
Excellent documentary!
thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed it.
Need more chess docs like this. Great work
thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it.
Very well done documentary. Really enjoyed the stories you captured.
thank you so much!
Beautiful documentary. I’m glad chess is becoming more popular now and those businesses and hustlers are starting to see a revival
thank you so much!
Awesome film. Made me remember the days when I lived and played chess in the city. Thank you posting this.
Thanks so much for your comment! Where did you use to play? Union Sq? Washington Sq Park? Also... who's your favorite character/the most interesting in your opinion? Simon