My sons love to play chess. Somewhere I saw a picture of a European park with a giant chess board with huge, almost life-sized chess pieces. It might have been the Netherlands, but not sure. I can't seem to find this place. Did I just imagine it or does such a place really exist? My kids would absolutely love to see it. We'll be in Cologne, Haarlem/Amsterdam, Brugge, and Paris. And if you don't know a place with a "life-sized chess" board, maybe you can recommend a great park with friendly locals who wouldn't mind playing chess with a couple foreign kids? Thanks!

I have seen them several times over the years, but can't be sure where. I know there was one in Bern, because I have slides of it...which doesn't fit your itinerary.

Hope someone can help.

There's a chess club (named after Max Euwe, the Dutch grandmaster) near the Hard Rock Cafe in Amsterdam where they have huge pieces and play outside. My daughter really enjoyed watching the game for about an hour when we were there in 2005.

Its in Munich.Just around the building on the grounds behind and east of the Glyptothek is a popular spot for local chess players (mostly older men) to play life-size games. The whole grassy area in Königsplatz (between the two Neo-classical museums) is a great place to soak in the sun and do some people watching & maybe join them for a game.

I think many towns have those. Helsinki has more than one. Budapest has at least one, propably more as Magyars are very keen players.

There's one in Zurich also.

s

Lucern has a large set of chess along the river area. I think this is called "Unter der Egg" or something similar.

Blackduff

You will find these outdoor chess games in many cities.
BUT to stick to the places actually on *your* travel itinerary, please note the Bruges has a very active chess club, which even has royal patronage.
http://www.kbsk.be/
Their contact is Marc Clevers (click on the info section) although they have some other contacts listed as well. I'm sure the members would be happy to arrange some chess games for your sons.
Note: although the site is in Flemish/Dutch, don't worry, you can email them in English and they'll respond in the same language.

Thank you all for your suggestions. Thanks especially to Btilke. I checked out the website for the Koninklijke Brugse SchaakKring (Bruges chess club). The photos of little Bruges children playing chess made me realize, again, why travelling is so wonderful: we are more alike than different. Those photos could have been kids from my sons' central city school practicing. Maybe that's why chess is so great: cultural, economic, and racial differences melt away in the rigors of concentrating on the game. My sons will love it! Thank you, thank you!