On Tuesday nights in east London’s Brick Lane, one of the most vibrant spots isn’t a restaurant or a pop-up streetwear shop—it’s a chess club, or more precisely, a blend of chess club and nightclub.
Knight Club is an unexpected fusion of chess and London’s lively nightlife. It was founded by 27-year-old Yusuf Ntahilaja, who launched his first chess club in August 2023 at a smaller bar in Aldgate, close to its current home at Café 1001 on Brick Lane.
“I wanted to create chess clubs for people who look like me and are my age,” he explained. “Usually, chess is found in places dominated by older people, which isn’t diverse enough.”
At the start, there were just eight boards for 16 people. Now, a successful night at the weekly Knight Club draws around 280 attendees.
At first glance, Knight Club feels more like a DJ event than a chess club. Cocktails are served, music plays, but the chessboards on every table aren’t just for show—they’re all in use, with spectators waiting their turn.
Jimmy Ifenayi, 24, has been a regular for the past four months. “I knew nothing about chess before coming here, and my first game was against a grandmaster. I lost quickly, but it sparked my curiosity to learn and keep playing,” she said.
“The event is about half socializing and half actual chess playing. It’s a great way to unwind without the typical club scene for people my age.”
In recent years, chess has become a cultural staple. Online chess surged during the pandemic, becoming one of the fastest-growing internet games globally. Pop culture, like Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit and Sally Rooney’s novel Intermezzo, has given the game a new allure, attracting a younger generation.
However, much of chess’s renewed appeal isn’t about the game’s intricacies but the easy social interaction it encourages—sitting down to play with a complete stranger.
“It’s a great Trojan horse,” said Jonah Freud, co-founder of London’s Reference Point, a bookstore, library, cafe, and bar that has hosted a popular Wednesday chess club since opening four years ago. Freud aims to “take chess off a pedestal and make it feel like playing pool in a dive bar.”
“It’s an easy way to meet people. It removes the pressure of constant conversation; you can introduce yourself and chat over a board instead of without any context.”
In Birmingham, Chesscafé is a regular event at York’s Cafe, just outside the city center. “We noticed people want places to go out, socialize, and have fun beyond bars or clubs,” said founder Karan Singh, 21.
Along with his friend Abdirahim Haji, also 21, Singh bought chessboards, printed flyers, and started the club in January during his final year of university. In under a year, Chesscafé now draws over 100 young players to its events.
“Chess clubs often have a quiet reputation. We try to do the opposite—it’s a social party with chess involved,” he said.
For many, these clubs are an entry point to the game. Zoë Kezia, 27, is learning how to play chess.At Reference Point’s chess night, Kezia connected with other attendees. Her curiosity about the game grew after a fun evening of dancing and chess at a Knight Club event.
“It’s an unusual idea, but it really works,” she remarked. “It promotes in-person connections instead of screen time. It’s a free, welcoming third space to meet new people, and you don’t need to be skilled at chess.”
Knight Club often feels more like a DJ party than a traditional chess club. Kezia humorously compared chess’s appeal among youth to a “performative male” act—trying to appear intellectual while staying cool. She’s not entirely sure if this trend reflects a true passion for the game. “It’s a positive trend, but it’s still just a trend,” she noted. “Playing against serious players can quickly take the fun out of it.”
While casual players use chess as a social tool, dedicated competitors have their own space away from the dance floor. Lucia Ene-Lesikar, 22, a Knight Club organizer, mentioned that more competitive members have created a league. “League players face off in matches, progressing through quarter-finals, semi-finals, and eventually crowning a champion.”
Ryames Chan, 23, a competitive player and chess teacher, has been in the league for about a year and visits the club weekly. “This is a refreshing break from intense chess; it builds a sense of community,” he shared.
“It’s fascinating to watch chess become a social activity. In the past, players were often seen as stay-at-home types, just two people hunched over a board. What I appreciate here is that you’re engaging with real people, not a computer.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about how young Britons are revitalizing chess designed to be clear concise and natural
General Beginner Questions
1 Whats this about a chess revival in Britain
It means chess is becoming cool and popular again especially among young people thanks to new styles of play online platforms and influential personalities
2 Why is chess suddenly so popular with young Brits
A few key reasons the hit Netflix show The Queens Gambit the rise of popular online chess platforms like Chesscom and British streamers and influencers who make the game entertaining and accessible
3 I only know the basic rules Is this new chess scene for me
Absolutely A big part of this revival is about making chess welcoming for everyone from total beginners to experts There are plenty of online resources and communities for new players
4 What is Speed Chess or Bullet Chess
These are fastpaced versions of the game Speed chess has short time limits and Bullet chess is even faster making it exciting and intense
5 Who are some famous young British chess players to know
Look up players like David Howell and Jovanka Houska who are also brilliant commentators A new generation including young talents like Bodhana Sivanandan is also gaining massive attention
Benefits The Fresh Twist
6 What are the main benefits of playing chess
Its a great mental workout It improves critical thinking problemsolving concentration patience and even memory Its also a fun way to socialize and compete
7 Whats the fresh twist young players are bringing
Theyre blending chess with modern internet culture This includes using memes slang and a more relaxed personalitydriven approach to streaming and commenting on games making it less formal and more fun
8 Is online chess different from playing on a real board
The rules are the same but the experience is different Online chess is faster you can play anytime and there are helpful features like move suggestions and puzzle trainers Overtheboard play offers a deeper more social and tactile experience
Common Problems Getting Better
