Marcel “Marty” Anderson, 57, has found a home in a world of 64 squares.
“Chess is the only outlet I got,” he said. “It’s a lot like our lives. Both have a beginning, middle and end.”
Anderson first moved to New York to pursue acting when he was 27. But after countless jobs, he found himself in jail at Rikers Island. A year later, he was released. Now, he plays chess with passersby in Washington Square Park to make a living.
Along with chess, Anderson sells cigarettes for a dollar, and occasionally weed.
“I don’t like selling cigarettes,” Anderson said. “I feel like I’m putting the needle in their hand, not in their veins, but in their hand. I might as well be giving them the crack and I feel bad about that.”
Every morning around 5:30, Marty leaves his house in the Bronx, to travel about an hour and a half to Greenwich Village to stake his claim on a chess table. Sometimes, he makes $100 a day, other times, $20.
“I lose on purpose, because if I beat them too much, their ego gets hurt and I don’t make as much.”
As colder weather looms, Marty visits the park less, but he hopes to make enough to get through the winter.
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Anderson plays chess with Emily from Chicago in Washington Square Park. Photo by Laura Studley
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Anderson plays Simon Khoury, a tourist from London, after teaching her chess basics. Photo by Laura Studley
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Anderson wins most of the games he plays. When he first moved to the city, he visited a chess park in Queens. Anderson played multiple Russian chess players, and won every game, he said. Photo by Laura Studley
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Anderson laughs as he reflects on his life. “If I don’t laugh about it, I’ll cry,” he said. Photo taken by Laura Studley
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Anderson gathers cash, tequila, weed and cigarettes in Washington Square Park. His sole income comes from selling drugs and playing chess. Photo by Laura Studley
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Anderson sells weed to John Delgado in Washington Square Park. Anderson also sells cigarettes. Photo by Laura Studley
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Anderson works through different game strategies as he waits for potential players in Washington Square Park. Photo by Laura Studley
Comments
[…] to escort a young man from the park who was smoking crack as we watched. I beat him most games then read here that he throws games to smooth the egos of those he plays. Nice […]
This is a mesmerizing view of NYC, a city I also love. Thank you so much for sharing them. A real treat I’m going to come back. Your humanity comes through in so many; I’m especially thinking of your sketch of Marty Anderson.