When is “a” or “a + article” required after jugar and before an activity?

Question

Are there some activities that do or don’t take “a” or “a + article”? Juego al ajedrez vs Juego un partido.

Silvia Píriz · Accepted Answer

Hola Pat B.
The difference depends on what follows jugar.

We use jugar a + article before the name of a game or sport:

Jugar al ajedrez
Jugar al fútbol
Jugar a las cartas

We don't use a before a direct object referring to a specific match, game or round:

Jugar un partido
Jugar una partida de ajedrez
Jugar un torneo

So it's not that some activities take a and others don't. Rather, jugar a introduces the game or sport being played, whereas jugar without a takes a direct object referring to a particular match, game or competition.
Un saludo
Silvia