Why is there an "al" in this?

Question

Why is there an "al" in this phrase?

Sé jugar al ajedrez?

Could it just be?:

Sé jugar ajedrez?

Why is it necessary, and what does it do in the first phrase?

Answer 1

It's Spanish. Some things one just has to learn. Juego al fútbol,¿ Te gusta jugar al tenis?

Haha, thanks. Does this "al" only apply to the infinitive "jugar," or is it applicable to other infinitives as well? - Gman13, Jan 16, 2014

Answer 2

If we're being technical the grammatically correct construction is with the 'a', it is interesting to note however that Rae recognizes that due to English influence the 'a' is now sometimes omitted and not only that but it says that this must also be considered a valid construction.

Bear in mind however that this will be regional, so in some areas with greater English influence no one will bat an eye if you treat jugar as a transitive verb and drop the 'a' whereas in other places, such as Spain you could sound wrong and perhaps even slightly uneducated.

Con este mismo sentido, en el habla coloquial de amplias zonas de América, probablemente por calco del inglés (to play tennis, to play football, etc.), se usa a menudo como transitivo, esto es, sin que el sustantivo que denota el juego vaya precedido de preposición, además de no llevar artículo: «Es empleado bancario y juega fútbol» (Bryce Vida [Perú 1981]); «Juntaba a sus paisanos para jugar cartas» (Mastretta Vida [Méx. 1990]); es uso que, por su arraigo en el español americano, ha de considerarse válido. Diccionario panhispánico de dudas ©2005 Real Academia Española © Todos los derechos reservados

Answer 3

Only uneducated Spanish-speaking people include "al"

Answer 4

I could be wrong, but the second sentences might be correct. Sé jugar ajedrez. Sé jugar tenis. When you use AL....still sounds correct... but with AL, it sounds as if you know how to play something, but in a more playful manner or as fun.