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Sit down. Pick a side. Play a game.
Natasha plays anything from beginner to club strength and tells you where it went wrong. Then read the rest of it — four hundred years of the game, and where to find a board in this town.
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Vs. the house
Play Natasha
Six strength settings, unlimited takebacks, and a post-game breakdown of the move that lost it.
Start a gameDaily puzzle
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A fresh Lichess tactic every day. Free, no account — drag a piece to solve.
Solve today’sANASTASIA
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Over the board
The Cheesy Chess Club
Casual, unrated, every Wednesday afternoon. Sets provided — just show up and play.
Where to play
The lead · Chess in St. Augustine
The Spanish Game: chess in the age St. Augustine was founded
Ruy López published his treatise in 1561. Menéndez landed four years later. The opening every beginner learns and the oldest city in the country are, to the year, contemporaries — and the bishop’s pawn game came ashore with the same fleet.
Read the piece →More from the blog
Chess in St. AugustineWhen St. Augustine flew the Union JackTwenty years of British rule, and Philidor was the strongest player alive. Learning & StrategyForks, pins, and skewersThe three tactics that decide most games under 1400. Chess CultureHistory of chess in AmericaFrom Franklin’s essay to Morphy’s tour. Learning & StrategyEndgame fundamentalsKing and pawn, rook and pawn, and the two you must know cold.Where to play in town
Full guideThe Cheesy Chess Club, 844 Anastasia BlvdWED 2–6PM
Plaza de la ConstituciónOUTDOOR · FREE
Historic district parks & waterfrontBRING A SET
St. Johns County librariesCALL AHEAD
Jacksonville area (nearby)USCF RATED
Play online — Lichess & Chess.comANYTIME