washington square park chess

We played several games,all of which wound up in his favor. Whats so beautiful about it, Theo asked. Unfortunately, the Brazilians first customer was Mr. Dzindzikashvili, whom he did not know. Than he said you dont want know my rating. Thousands of chess players have come to face the hustlers here, from GM Maurice Ashley, to Magnus Carlsen, and now, me. A highly skilled chess hustler who knows the ins and outs of the game can make up to USD$400 per day with enough tourist traffic. Vinny rolling a joint in public (and perhaps in the sight of children) not a good way to end video. This year's event is dedicated to the memory of longtime Greenwich . By day, Washington Square National Park is a hub of both leisure and commercial activities. Please contact Erika Sumner at (212) 777-1703 with your interest or questions. Im skeptical of evaluating someones play on blitz chess. Image: Ebony and Ivory by Bart is licensed underCC BY 2.0, 2023 WASHINGTON SQUARE HOTEL. "Searching for Bobby Fischer" featured scenes in the famous park and featured these players as did movies like "Fresh" and books like "The Chess Artist." [35], In the years before and after World War I, the park was a center for many American artists, writers, and activists, including the photographer Andr Kertsz, who photographed the square during winter. I remember Ashley-Muhammad match (pictured above). Vincent and Theo. A police spokesman said that though gambling and taking bets on the street were illegal, period, there were few complaints about the chess games. During the excavations for the eastern part of the arch, human remains, a coffin, and a gravestone dated to 1803 were uncovered 10 feet (3.0m) below ground level.[4]. [29] For many years, people visiting the park have mingled with the buskers, performers, musicians, and poets. Chess was every where. Ashley was taking on all comers. He had an overdose.We all wondered if maybe he wanted to get it over with, because he was HIV positive, Im glad I got so much footage of him, because he was a legend, a friend, and a true character. [4] Excavations have found tombstones under the park dating as far back as 1799.[10]. The area has a low crime rate in the "safest big city in the United States. February 17, 2016 If you've ever spent any time downtown in New York City, there's a good chance that you're familiar with the chess hustlers who hang out in Washington Square Park and. If, after your game, youre feeling inspired, take the five-minute stroll over to Chess Forum. #chess #socialactivism #hiphop. Are you associated with this business? That part is simple (at least compared to the task ahead of you, should you choose to play!) A plaque commemorating her tireless crusade can be seen in the park today. I was very sad when I heard that he had died. Well-known for its arch, honoring George Washington, the man for whom the park is named, and its fountain, the arch's elder by 43 years and a popular . Grandmaster Maurice Ashley 9.2M views 6 years ago Magnus Carlsen playing at our university bar | Damien Ribire (2061) vs GM Magnus Carlsen (2864) EPFL Chess Club - La Dame Blanche 747K views 9. Thanks for the heads-up! Billbrock 20:16, 16 July 2006 (UTC), Chess Life, Oct 1971, page 586, Vincent Livermore, CT, rating of 1950. All ages are welcome to participate, and five spots will be reserved for players 12 and under. The highlight of the game is when the chess hustler, losing to the grandmaster, attempts to cheat by using sleight of hand to remove his opponent's knight from the board, but grandmaster Maurice Ashley doesn't let him get away with it. 07. J.C. Hallman. For over 100 years, the Washington Square Association has been helping to support and better the park and the surrounding neighborhood. Black Bears Maurice Ashley and William Morrison are right there. I remember grand master Zilba (full name Josef Israel Zilber) who wore dozens of rings & buttons on fingers & clothing. [33] This clothing style became the working woman's uniform and a symbol of female independence, reflecting the alliance of labor and suffrage movements. Well sir, you are right. This video brings back a lot of memories. Next time, though, it would be better if I got the $3.. Washington Square Park Address: 5 Ave, Waverly Pl., W. 4 St. and Macdougal Street, Manhattan, New York City, United States Washington Square Park Timing: 24-hrs Time required to visit Washington Square Park: 01:00 Hrs Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary! Sam Ford of Chicago is also a Master in blitz, but both he and Murphy have only reached 2100 OTB. ? Black could refute all of this with 4Bc5+ (which Theo started to play) 5.Kg1 Qh1+, but he opted for 4Qxd7 and they entered a drawn ending. With its distance from the city center, the land we now call Washington Square Park provided the perfect place. I myself have made the pilgrimage to New York citys Chess parks and clubs and have met most of the above mentioned people. Some of the Chessmen are worn and even cracked. 12/15/2022. Josh Waitzkin was champion in USA after Mexico made events. What is it about chess that will cause a man to become so absorbed? Located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, the park is bordered by Washington Square North (known as Waverly Place east and west of the park), Washington Square East (known as University Place north of the park), Washington Square South (known as West 4th Street east and west of the park), and Washington Square West (known as MacDougal Street north and south of the park). Ft. 12942 NE 24th St, Bellevue, WA 98005. Surprising that Luis Busquets never saw a strong Black player given that Afro-Cuban Rogelio Ortega was a past Cuban champion. Check out Orrin Hudson at @besomeone.0rg! At a very rough guess, I'd say a lot of them are around 2000 or 2200 but that's really a guess. The two prominent features are the Washington Square Arch and a large fountain. I think he was even proud of it because he asked me to show it to some childhood friends he respected. The Union Square chess area, located just outside the subway entrance near the northeast corner of 14th St. and Union Square West, mirrors the fast pace of its environment. Some will play for a flat fee of a few dollars a game and once in a while you will find someoone who will play for free. How do you play chess in Union Square? For some, the game conjures images of child prodigies like Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen, deftly taking pawns with laser-focused, lightning-fast speed. I even heard he pulled out of the tournament he was so impressed., Jorge Fiengo, a 21-year-old student from Sucre, Bolivia, who dropped $3 to Mr. Livermore this weekend, agreed. Famous for its bohemian past, head to Washington Square Park to get a feel for this diverse and . Though small in size, the park "is one of New York's most densely-used green spaces." 1 Locals can be seen sipping lattes under shady trees, street performers entertaining crowds with their avant-garde acts, chess players musing . 20 Spaces Available Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. The Washington Square Park Arch is located at the foot of Fifth Avenue, one block . Add to myNY added . Alfred McCambridge of Michigan, who was in the city on vacation, cheerfully paid $2 after dropping a contest that was hardly even close. It's been in the 100s out here. 708 tips and reviews EchoDA: the newly renovated Park, you will see a lot wacko's (sorry creative's! [6] The families who received the land were no longer slaves, but had to give a portion of the profits they received from the land to the Dutch West India Company and pay annual land fees. 37 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10011 Get Directions and Hours About Chess Boards of Washington Square Park & why it made the Carpe City list The Washington Square Park chess tables are a legendary spot for chess in New York City. He was very kind to the woman and her son and paid close attention to the child as he examined the board. There should be different distinctions, but I believe it is the OTB that we use to measure because it provides time for reflection and the quality is certainly higher. "[15], Hayes, former Chairman of the Washington Square Park Committee and member of the Greenwich Village Community Planning Board, a local resident and mother of four sons, started a public outcry for the park when large apartment buildings were raised on one of its borders. The life of a chess hustler is an interesting one and Hallman captures the intrigue from the beginning until the end. Im leaving the country for a couple of weeks. Lines of police clashed with people gathered in Washington Square Park in New York City on Saturday over a new 10 p.m. weekend curfew. Described as a force of nature, Doris Diether (1929-2021) was a longtime Greenwich Village preservationist who out of sheer appreciation became a self-taught Washington Square Park guardian and served on Manhattans Community Board 2 for over 50 years. Hes raking in the bucks. 15406. Relax with ghosts at city landmark. The temporary plaster and wood arch was so popular that in 1892, a permanent Tuckahoe marble arch, designed by the New York architect Stanford White, was erected,[13] standing 77 feet (23m) and modeled after the Arc de Triomphe, built in Paris in 1806. Six years ago, Ambakisye Osayaba made his big move he quit his part-time city job cleaning Central Park and began playing chess full-time. Take for example the guy I mentioned before, Osayaba: Osayaba charges $3 for a no-wager game. He looked up and saw me observing him and to my surprise smiled and said. Yo whats up dudeI was shocked , said hi and walked away. I was in Muhammads room and he wanted to play blitz, but I was buck tired after covering the event. There are a lot of really strong speed players. Here he sacked his queen with 1.Qd8+? Chess players are a different breed of people than the others around here, Mr. Livermore said. This was one of our must dos a few times during the summer. [1] It is operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks). A 48-hour diary of a ten-acre park where everything in the city seems to be happening at once. Great article ,but you cant forget to mention the trash-talking,halarious hustler JP Morgan (also featured on a youtube video). [1], Those commemorated by statues and monuments include George Washington; Italian patriot and soldier Giuseppe Garibaldi, commander of the insurrectionist forces in Italy's struggle for unification; and Alexander Lyman Holley, a talented engineer who helped start the American steel industry after the invention of the Bessemer process for mass-producing steel. Washington Square Park is popular with locals and tourists alike. Plus, the large black woman (Doris ??) There was a young Russian girl following Glenn around, no doubt intrigued by his presence in Russia. To add to one of the discussions above, there was a story I looked into a little bit but did not include in The Chess Artist. co winner IX National Chess Open 1975 Las Vegas Ernest Colding came down there too. He was definitely missedThe square was never the same after he was gone. Were not ripping people off like they do in three-card monte, one player, Vincent Livermore, said. Hikaru Nakamura waiting to take someones lunch money. Interesting stuff on Washington SquareI was just there recently, and made my donation to one of the players there. The little corner of chess is largely the creation of Broadway Bobby, a Times Square habitue who has also been known to dabble in sidewalk Polaroid photography, and pool-shooting on rainy days. "[37], Washington Square Park has appeared in many popular films and television shows, including Barefoot in the Park,[38] Kids,[39] Searching for Bobby Fischer,[40] Fresh,[41] Law & Order,[42] The Astronaut's Wife,[43] I Am Legend,[44] August Rush,[45] The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,[46] and The Amazing Race.[47]. I am glad people can have a glimpse of this golden era. The chessplayers gather in the southwest corner of the park, near MacDougal and W. 4th Street, in a hemisphere of chess tables. 45,894 Washington Square Premium High Res Photos Browse 45,894 washington square stock photos and images available, or search for washington square park or washington square arch to find more great stock photos and pictures. Washington Square is a 1997 American romantic drama film directed by Agnieszka Holland, and starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Albert Finney, Ben Chaplin, Maggie Smith and Judith Ivey.The screenplay by Carol Doyle is based on Henry James' novel of the same name, which was filmed as The Heiress in 1949. One of the jewels of New York City's park system is becoming an open-air drug market. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/08/nyregion/in-park-a-chess-hustler-mixes-patter-with-profit.html. Washington Square. Photograph of Washington Square Park chess table by Paulo C on Flickr. https://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/2012/12/31/chess-at-washington-square-park-part-2/. And finally, our favorite. I also was told Vinny died of AIDS, but of course heroin and AIDS are not mutually exclusive (i.e., needle-sharing). Also Orlando Cespedes. Seeking to "best serve the needs of children and adults of this family community," Hayes in turn presented her own proposal: 1.75 acres (700m2) of roadway would be converted to parkland, a paved area would be created for emergency access only, and all other vehicles would be permanently banned from the park. Here is an excerpt: Livermore is not in the system at all, I think he stopped playing in tournaments in the 1960s. A street entertainer in Washington Square Park, "FROM POTTERS FIELD TO PARADE GROUND" January 12 2021, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, "Washington Square Park Highlights: NYC Parks", "Safety and Security in Washington Square Park", Washington Square Park: Phase 1A Archaeological Assessment, "Washington Square Park, in the heart of Greenwich Village - EC New York Blog", "Gravestone From 1799 Is Found in Washington Square Park", https://washingtonsqpark.org/news/2021/01/12/from-potters-field-to-parade-ground/, "New York Architecture Images-1-3 Washington Square North", "Shirley Hayes and the Battle of Washington Square Park, 19521959", "Shirley Hayes Papers, 1948-2001 (bulk 1952-1979)", "Washington Square Park Reconstruction: NYC Parks", "Blooms Return to Washington Square Park After Years of Renovation", "Matter of Greenberg v City of New York (2007 NY Slip Op 01943)", "Washington Square Park to Get Private Security Force", "Hot stuff! A cemetery. OPEN SAT, 1PM TO 3PM. Vinny then said, It was beautiful, wasnt it! La pelcula Buscando a Bobby tiene como antecdente desconocido que Mexico promovi tres campeonatos mundiales infantiles en las ciudades mexicanas Durango, Xalapa y Mazatlan, anos aproximados 1979, 1980 y 1981 yendose el evento hasta 2010 a diversas ciudades del mundo. I think it was a Bf5 move after he sacrificed an exchange. Apparently, the chess players in the park were made subject to a gambling raid once upon a timeand it wound up in court. Ive seen Simutowe play on the ICC many times sometimes sitting next to him. Hi Daaim, and thanks for posting a reply. There was a big dark-skinned Jamaican guy who didnt play chess, but was always there, reading his worn Bible and preaching from it. Saludation to Chess Master Luis Busquets My friend Jones Murphy says that Luis lives in Europe. Colin Huggins, New York City's own Washington Square "Piano Guy," who drags his grand piano to the middle of the Manhattan park to play for strangers, is . Example:Great speed chess players like tom, and sam are some of the best that I have seen and played during my travels all around, I do not want to take away from the fact that they very skilled in that reguard, but tournament chess is something different and I have noticed that speed players loose focus when it comes down to that 40/2, then you have the nieghborhood players who never leave the block and beat the same players over and over again but never go to or even are interested in tournament play, so the skills never mature, but they do not know what they are missing! For nearly two centuries the Square has been a place to linger, to play, to celebrate or demonstrate. If your chess skills are rusty rather than stellar, find a player who is willing to teach you. )We travel Danny and Me since Hosuton until Las Vegas). 3,950 Sq. Barneygumble 16:42, 28 February 2006 (UTC), I dont know, but I do know I played in a USCF-rated tournament (Susquehanna Valley Open) that the teenage Vincent Livermore won circa 1969. Maurice Ashley and I met there so I could discuss with him a chess network I envisioned (it became The Chess Drum). I think that chess mastery represents all of the above, because in the end love of the game is the biggest draw, by the way I lost 6-7 speed games in a row to a distiguished chess player at the Chicago Open and you know what, I think in a 40/2 my results would be alot different. [9] However, research indicates the tree was on the side of the former Minetta Creek that was the back garden of a private house. Walk up to someone and ask them the deal. Homes similar to 13031 NE 32nd Pl are listed between $2M to $13M at an average of $955 per square foot. It is the only time I saw him outside of Washington Square. A couple weeks ago, I had an interview with @realhiphopchess on "The Bishop Chronicles" talking about the social relevance of chess , its global impact and ideas for social activism and mobilization. Dozens of chess. The other guy Danny seems to be holding his own. Mr. Dzindzikashvili, known in chess circles for his willingness to gamble on just about anything, is currently the 12th ranked player in the United States. Nobodys cheating or threatening. By the mid-17th century, the land on each side of the Minetta was used as farm land by the Dutch. I dont even bother with 1-minute or 3-minute chess unless I have a specific purpose for studying openings. The problem I see with blitz is that it does not translate to any rating much higher than 2150. And Sweet Pea. 9.3. My friend plays them from time to time. Not legal. Sometimes in the morning, I had the great privilege of playing Vincent with no clock for $1, just for fun, talking, philosophizing. One such activity is chess, with outdoor tables installed in the southwest corner of the park [photo Wiki ] and featured in the films Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993) and Fresh (1994). [7] Among those who owned parcels in what is now Washington Square Park was Paulo D'Angola. Maurice Ashely's family moved from Jamaica . Happy Holiday. Tension and conflicts began to develop between the bohemian element and the remaining working-class residents of the neighborhood. This is the corner of Washington Square Park. But I've always been curious about how much money the players can make, and how they got to be park chess players. I only recently heard of Vincent Livermore from Jones Murphy. He has served the journalist community for more than 30 years and is still an active tournament competitor. 28. The Brazilian couldnt believe that somebody could walk up on the street in this country and play like that. Muhammad vs. Ashley He played ther in Chess Houst Club with the Babcook family (mother and son. If Vinny was rated 1950 in 1971, he was no where near Master strength in tournament chess. Brilliant, reclusive and eccentric, Chicago-born and Brooklyn-bred Bobby Fischer died at age 64 in Iceland.His spokesman said . Known for his speed chess playing, Dlugy was formerly ranked number one in the world by the World Blitz Chess Association. In the park, I learned of Russian Paul Sweet Pea, Poe and other characters. Funding for the $170,000 project was provided by Ray Dalio's Dalio Philanthropies. In the book, Glenn was the center of intrigue since many in Russia and Kalmykia may not have come in contact with Black men from America. If you win, you get the money. While denizens in doorways nearby mutter of loose joints, girls and other enticements, tourists and chess regulars take on the boards proprietors for a 25-cent fee plus a side bet of a few dollars. After that game Whitaker wrote in mail with Joaqun Araiza, forme National Chess Champion in Mexico althrough 30 years (more o less 1920 to 1950), but he neve beat GMI Carlos Torre Repetto. And GM Roman Jinjin Dzindzichashvili, who was the top USA player in 1983 & 1989. That turned into a riot, and the 27th New York regiment was called out to quell the stonecutters. Many buildings have been built by New York University, while others have been converted from their former uses into academic and residential buildings. I remember Sam the Rabbi (who taught Sweet Pea how to play chess upstairs at the chess house), and he was a very vile, half-crazy man (at least thats how he acted). Just as you have these documentaries on music genres such as jazz, hip-hop, street chess has a place of its own. There are no games played for money. Hopefully next time some of the power players will be around to crush me like the patzer I am! Hed never met a black master before. Spaces are filling up quickly so if you or your child would like to compete, please fill out the attached form and send it to us ASAP. A 9.75-acre city park in Greenwich Village, characterized by its large, central fountain, and known as a major center of community activity for the neighborhood residents. I feel asleep briefly and they were still clock-banging. Washington Square in Greenwich Village is one of New York's most densely-used green spaces. [1], The New York City Police Department operates security cameras in the park.,[2] and NYC Parks has security officer. Amon Simutowe is a blitz beast too, but the only game I saw him play at the Wilbert Paige was against FM Ron Simpson. For others, chess has cozier, slower associations; memories of rainy days, stuck inside, waging a long, drawn out battle against your sibling or neighborhood friend. Washington Square National Park. He embarked on a crusade to fully redesign the park, and local activists began an opposing fight that lasted three decades. He currently runs the Chess Max Academy on the Upper West Side. Theo made some mistakes with moving his king to c8 (attacking the bishop) allowing the white king to invade. Your email address will not be published. I remember Jimmy Jam & Markus Moonbeam and another big black guy named Mark, and Poe, who I thought was Paul until I read about him on this internet-site. Havent seen Jorge Hasbun-Sammour. This game has cost me a couple of relationships. Maybe he means Blacks in America, but of course a Cuban wouldnt have been visiting America much in the 60s. For some, the game conjures images of child prodigies like Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen, deftly taking pawns with laser-focused, lightning-fast speed. Usually the first thing they want to know is if its legal, and then they want to know where I learned to play so well.. Adu and Morrison have had some good battles too. Schliefer told me later they broke even. It includes children's play areas, trees and gardens, paths to stroll on, a chess and scrabble playing area, park benches, picnic tables, commemorative statuary and two dog runs. ", a seven-year battle to keep automobiles out of the quiet area. By the way I may repeat myself in the video; thats because I have a memory problem. If you find yourself absolutely frustrated by chess, thats okay; no one will judge you for reaching for the dominoes, backgammon, Scrabble, or any of the other games on the Chess Forum shelves. The land to the east of Minetta, which created a natural western border, was in dispute and the city purchased it easily, and the City's second Potter's Field was built. Im out of work so for me its like a summer job.. In 1826 Alderman Abraham Valentine "introduced a resolution to re-appropriate an old potters field into a military parade ground,"[11] and the city bought the land west of Minetta Creek, the square was laid out and leveled, and it was turned into the Washington Military Parade Ground. This was simply the edited version. The park was opened in the year 1871 and is managed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. One said it had been put up at a spot where the fountain was prior to 2007 park redesign. She was also an animal lover with a zest for life - she will be greatly missed. The streets surrounding the square became one of the city's most desirable residential areas in the 1830s. The police generally leave the players alone. So today I went to Washington Square Park to learn a little bit more. Once she grabbed me from behind and started choking me. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Send me an e-mail with your address webmaster@thechessdrum.net. I was two years before I first visited. 5 Ave, Waverly Pl., W. 4 St. and Macdougal St. Washington Square Park, New York City, NY 10011. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Technically gambling is illegal, so I . Hi again Daaim Shabazz Image A game of showdows November 7, 2013 . Not sure. Hes about an A-player another speed demon. "People from all over the world are there - Russians, East Asians, Black, American, Hispanic and Latino, African and Caribbean - people from all over are playing chess there. He claimed that Livermore was Master strength. The ruling was reversed on appeal. Alfonso Ferriz Master USCF & WBCA 1975 & 1992 Dear Daaim Shabazz Nevertheless, here is some commentary from the video poster, Franois. In short, they proposed closing off a roadbed without compensating for it. In the spring of 1961, the new parks commissioner refused a permit to the folksingers for their Sunday afternoon gatherings, because "the folksingers have been bringing too many undesirable [beatnik] elements into the park. Upvote Downvote Michelin Travel & Lifestyle February 19, 2013 after which followed 1Rxd8 2.Rxd8+ Bf8. Spend Some Time in Washington Square Park: Washington Square Park is gorgeous. He was a strong blitz player and he beat me twice. I founded in Mexico City the National Chess School. Interesting experiment! Along with PAUL, GUNTHER, and a THORNY bunch of Guys that could have fit in perfectly in WASHINGTON Park. I was a homeless guy in NYC during the 1980s, and hung out in Washington Square Park playing and watching chess games. SAM FORD was one of our regulars. One of the iconic public spaces in NYC. Very informative! Players are there after the lunch rush and play on for hours. The protected row of Greek Revival style houses on the north side of the park remains from that time. Chess NYC offers top-notch chess classes for everyone to develop their skills, confidence, and self-esteem through playing chess. I have been doing a deep dive on the background of Andrew Ta Daaim Shabazz is the founder of The Chess Drum, while serving as a tenured faculty member of Global Business & Marketing at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. I had to leave the table when a customer would show up. The video contains a number of legendary characters in the hustling realm, some have long passed away. [4] But when New York (which did not include this area yet) went through yellow fever epidemics in the early 19th century, most of those who died from yellow fever were also buried here, safely away from town, as a hygienic measure. I remember first seeing Ylon in New Yorks Washington Square Park back in 1990. Nearby homes similar to 1210 5th Ave have recently sold between $60K to $300K at an average of $95 per square foot. I think Vincent is glad too. My first intelligent class and 175 the title lik national champion of Mexico. Anchored by Stanford White's iconic Washington Arch, it is a small park-barely 10 acres-with a long and colorful history. He was a tremendous player, and you can check with people like IM Shirazi who was a mutual friend when I hung out in Washington Square park. I had many good friends. Amarillo, Tucson, Phoenix, Douglas,. [32] Many of the women wore fitted tucked-front blouses like those manufactured by the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. ALL of the PLAYERS there are GOOD. I dont forgett anothers torunaments (Niagara Falls, I beat many time Arthur Bisguier We competed with Walter Brown, Andy Soltis, Ken Rogoff, Fred Pena,) in New York Open with William Hook (capitan Garfio), from Islas Virgens, Eugene Salomon, Eugene Martinowsky (again), Robert Byrne In Fredericksburg Open played with Robert Watchell, David Florian After all periple I was in list ratings 1970 Expert, and 1974-1975 Master USCF. Hotel in Manhattan, New York (0.9 miles from Washington Square Park) Located in New York and with Flatiron Building reachable within a 10-minute walk, The Hotel Chelsea provides concierge services, allergy-free rooms, a fitness center, free WiFi and a restaurant. [12], In 1849 and 1850, the parade ground was reworked into the first park on the site. The Hotel Chelsea. It was amazing and I was the only witness. Althought I am transsexual now and have only very recently come back to chess, I was there from its very beginning (at least around 42st).