Chess Players in Sofia

After arriving late yesterday in Sofia, Bulgaria, our one full day there was just marvelous. The weather was perfect in every way. We took a 2 1/2 hour free tour in English over midday, which covered the main sights in the center; at least 80 people people showed up, and were divided among the two young leaders. Ours could not have been more informative.

After lunch we went to several churches and mosques (the tour had not entered any); most notable were the massive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (built around 1900) and the Hagia Sophia (with an eventful history since the sixth century, and now a museum). Both were really impossible to photograph in any creative way, and so I've decided on this modest blip.

It displays one of several groups playing chess and backgammon late in the afternoon, in one of the city's many parks. It is a beautiful city; trees, plantings and extensive green spaces are everywhere. And the people could not be more friendly. Sofia (pronounced SO-fee-a) is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. (I spelled it incorrectly with "ph" in first posting this comment.)

These two were playing speed chess, with a clock; the fellow on the right, with white, was winning (note the black pieces on his side to the right of the clock.) After this they started again, and he won quickly again, this time with black.