Playing Chess

In Tashkent, Uzbekistan, there is a plaza for Tamerlane the great 14th century conqueror of most of central Asia. At the height of power, his empire spanned from most of Eurasia to Delhi and Moscow, from the Tien Shan Mountains to the Taurus Mountains. Not surprisingly, he was an avid chess player.

Nowadays, as the sun sets, people gather around the plaza and set up chess boards. Strangers come to watch and if bold enough challenge players. I think I saw money change hands at one of the games but one can tell by the faces of these old timers and even some of the young newcomers, they don't play for money. They play for the bragging rights. All under the watchful eye of Tamerlane.