a (chance) encounter

[jesusguime]

A chance encounter brougt us together.



Hi,
Is "chance" in the above optional? Is it the same to just say "An encounter brought us together?" Thanks.

 

[Thomas Tompion]

The chance adds meaning. It tells the reader that the encounter was not engineered by either party.

 

[iheartart]

It depends what you want to say. "A chance encounter" makes it clear that it was not planned and happened without any prediction.
"An encounter" can also imply that the meeting was unexpected, but not necessarily. It could simply imply that it was brief meeting, but not unexpected. "Chance" simply makes the statement clearer.