Chess is becoming a popular new social activity for young people in the U.K., as bars and cafés reimagine the classic game, according to the Guardian.
In London, Knight Club has become one of the city’s go-to Tuesday night venues, offering a mix of cocktails, DJ sets and chessboards for socializing. Founded by Yusuf Ntahilaja in 2023, the club aims to make chess more accessible and engaging for a diverse, younger audience.
The format has quickly attracted hundreds of players and inspired similar events elsewhere. In Birmingham, Chesscafé now brings together over 100 participants for relaxed chess nights that combine friendly competition with a social atmosphere.
Organizers say the appeal lies in how chess helps people connect without the pressure of constant conversation. «It’s a fun, easy way to interact,» said Jonah Freud, who runs weekly chess nights at Reference Point, a London café and bar.
The growing interest in chess extends beyond the U.K. In Kazakhstan, the government adopted a national plan in 2023 to expand chess participation through 2027. The program, supported by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation led by Timur Turlov, aims to introduce extracurricular chess classes in 1,400 of the country’s 8,000 schools and to open 200 new chess clubs. It also includes the creation of community chess houses outside Astana and Almaty, supported by local authorities.
