We had the good fortune of connecting with David Grischuk and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Public chess has a pastime of hustlers trash talking and taking the money of strangers, but has shifted in recent years to a generous community, focused on critical thinking and self preservation.

Nowadays street chess and Oside Chess is recognized for teaching people more about reason and critical thinking. Inviting everyone to enjoy the relaxing and educational game, OCM greets strangers, tourists, homeless and locals alike. Oside Chess particularly creates discussions about important thought in planning, priority setting, and learning practices, within and outside of chess.

Aside from these discussions, sharing the game of chess helps introduce children and adults to logical and analytical thinking, which can help people in many stressful circumstances. Managing finances, finding meaningful work, and escaping unhealthy or dangerous situations can all be better understood with the logic adopted by chess play. Oside Chess Meet brings communal education indiscriminately to San Diego’s North County, whilst providing the simple enjoyment of a great game in a beautiful place.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Oside Chess is one of the few chess communities whose education is disconnected from public schooling. Anyone at any age or income is welcome to learn at whatever level they are at, whether they are complete beginners or approaching the master title.

Additionally public outreach is unusual for chess clubs which exist primarily in serious and sometimes expensive settings. Oside Chess provides free access to simple chess education, online and in-person, and a casual experience rare to the chess world.

This open access has created the opportunity to have multiple chess students from all walks of life and supplement the free play, beach sessions with more boards and merchandise.

Accessibility remains key to improving the lives of the whole beach and Socal communites.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oceanside is full of unbeaten paths.

Taking the San Luis Rey bike trail leads to many places which are less explored but breathtaking. For instance the underside of the Freeway bridge near the harbor, the cable towers in the valley, the San Luis Rey River itself, the San Luis Rey Mission, and the parks dotting the river trail. All of which are urban beauties and community spaces.

Downtown Oceanside while pretty with it’s hotels, modern restaurants, and event spaces doesn’t offer the uniqueness offered solely in Oceanside. Trekking north to the harbor provides a scenic view of beach, sealions and local boaters. And the pier itself is a monument of its own, containing the recreational and hungry fisherman alike, beside the sightseeing from the ocean view without the cost or uneasiness of ferry riding.

Among the festivities are many ethnic restaurants, of Italian, Mexican, Thai, and Japanese foods, but I would be remised to not mention the best of the Mexican restaurants.

Armando’s in a brick building on mission avenue across from Oceanside High has been making the best burritos (on earth) for nearly 30 years! Everyone should eat here once in their lifetime.

Truly Oceanside is a beautiful place for the compassionate and adventurous.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to one of my great supporters, whom without I would never have started Oside Chess, Timothy Dela Cruz.

He introduced me to chess in college which has created so much for my life. My friends, my thinking, and my business all stemmed from his recommendation to play.

Timothy regularly lifts the spirit of those around him and fills the room with laughter. He is a wonderful supporter of all his friends, the chess community, and through his work, the public.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oside_chess_meet/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6mVdu6UZUbaKyegpjXwwiQ/featured

Other: Discord: https://discord.gg/xKhSBBaarb

Image Credits
All photos by David Grischuk, host of Oside Chess Meet

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.