Article content

A prolonged, strategic battle between a ragtag gang of chess players and Park Royal mall in West Vancouver concluded this weekend with both sides declaring victory.

Managers abandoned their campaign to end the decades-long tradition of chess matches at the mall and agreed to let play continue — just not in the food court. Instead, a new chess space with room for up to 28 players will be created near the Brick and Osaka stores on the upper level of the south side of the mall, according to a statement by Park Royal.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or West Vancouver mall gambit ends with chess peace Back to video

Rick Amantea, the mall’s vice-president of community partnerships and development, said the company seeks to embrace diversity and create a vibrant community environment, adding he was pleased that an agreement was reached that worked for both parties.

“Park Royal chose to conduct negotiations with the chess players privately in the hopes that a mutually agreeable arrangement could be made, and are grateful to everyone who reached out to provide their point of view and wants them to know that their comments were taken to heart,” the statement said.