Places to play where beginners are welcome 13

Plenty of places to play around Barcelona take newcomers without fuss. On Sundays a meet-up gathers in the Parc de la Ciutadella from spring to autumn, a café holds a casual late-morning meet-up for every level, and a board-game group runs a chess night in a tapas bar in the old town. On Saturdays the Casinet d'Hostafrancs civic centre hosts friendly games through a Meetup group, and street chess days with a giant board have been held in Plaça Vila de Madrid.

Clubs open their doors too: Torrenegra in the Eixample welcomes visitors on the first Monday of the month, Torreblanca in L'Hospitalet keeps Monday afternoons for play with no booking and no minimum level, and Peona i Peó in Horta-Guinardó holds a social evening on Fridays. Clubs in Sant Cugat, Sant Joan Despí and Sants run starter groups as well. Bring a set to the park and the café if you have one.