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One of the liveliest spots on a Tuesday evening in the East End's Brick Lane isn't a dining spot or a streetwear label pop-up, it's a chess club – or rather a chess club-nightclub hybrid, to be exact.

Knight Club embodies the surprising blend between the classic game and London's dynamic evening entertainment scene. It was started by Yusuf Ntahilaja, in his late twenties, who began his initial chess club in August 2023 at a more intimate bar in a nearby area, a short distance from the present location at a popular cafe on the iconic lane.

“I wanted to create chess clubs for individuals who look like me and those my generation,” he explained. “Typically, chess is only placed in environments that are full of senior individuals, which is not inclusive enough.”

On the first night, there were only 8 boards shared by sixteen people. Now, a “good night” at the regular Knight Club will attract approximately 280 people.

Upon arrival, the venue feels more like a DJ event than a traditional chess meeting. Mixed drinks are being served and tunes is in the air, but the chessboards on every table are not just decorative or there as a gimmick: they are all occupied and encircled by a queue of onlookers eagerly anticipating for their chance to play.

Jimmy Ifenayi, 24, has frequented the club regularly for the last several months. “I possessed no knowledge of chess before I came here, and the first time I ever played, I played a game against a grandmaster. That was a swift win, but it made me fascinated to study and keep playing chess,” she said.

“The event is about half networking and half people genuinely wishing to engage in chess … It is a pleasant way to unwind, which avoids visiting a club to see others my age.”

An Activity Reborn: Chess in the Contemporary Age

In recent years, chess has been firmly established in the societal spirit of the times. The popularity of online chess proliferated during the global health crisis, making it one of the fastest-growing internet games globally. In popular culture, the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, along with Sally Rooney’s latest novel a literary work, have crafted a distinct imagery surrounding the sport, which has drawn in a fresh wave of players.

But much of this recent appeal of the chess club is not necessarily about the intricacies of the play; rather, it is the simplicity of social interaction that it facilitates, by pulling up a seat and playing with someone who could be a total unknown individual.

“It's a great Trojan horse,” remarked one organizer, co-founder of Reference Point in the city, a bookshop, library, cafe and lounge, which has organized a popular chess club every Wednesday since it began four years ago. Freud’s objective is to “remove chess off a pedestal and transform it into like pool in a casual pub”.

“It is a really simple vehicle to get to know people. It somewhat takes the weight of the necessity of small talk from socializing with people. You can handle the awkward part of making an introduction and chatting to someone over a game rather than with no context involved.”

Expanding the Network: Chess Nights Outside the Capital

Elsewhere in the UK, Chesscafé is a recurring chess night taking place at York’s Cafe, near the downtown area. “We found that individuals are seeking places where you can socialize, interact and have a fun evening beyond going to a bar or nightclub,” said its creator and coordinator, a young leader, in his early twenties.

Together with his friend a partner, also young, Singh bought chessboards, created promotional materials and began the chess club in the start of the year, while in his final year of college. In less than a year, he said Chesscafé has expanded to draw more than 100 young participants to its events.

“A chess club has a particular reputation to it, about it being reserved. Our approach is to move in the contrary direction; it is a social party with chess involved,” he emphasized.

Learning and Playing: An Alternative Generation of Players

For many, chess clubs are an introduction to the activity. Zoë Kezia, in her late twenties, is learning how to play chess with fellow attenders of the weekly event at the venue. Her interest in the pastime was sparked after an enjoyable night moving to music and playing chess at a previous Knight Club's occasions.

“It is a strange idea, but it functions well,” she said. “It encourages in-person interactions rather than digital activities. It's a no-cost neutral ground to encounter strangers. It is welcoming, you don't have to necessarily be good at chess.”

She humorously likened the trendiness of chess with young people to the facade of the “performative male”, an attempt to feign braininess while projecting the appearance of “coolness”. If the chess craze has fostered a genuine interest in the game is not something she's quite convinced by. “It is a wholesome trend, but it’s largely a trend,” she said. “Once you're playing with opponents who are truly dedicated about it, it quickly becomes less fun.”

Competitive Play and Togetherness

It might all be a some fun and games for individuals looking to use a chessboard as a social vehicle, but competitive players do have their place, albeit off the main party area.

Lucia Ene-Lesikar, 22, who assists in organise Knight Club,says that increasingly skilled attenders have formed a league table. “People who are in the league will play one another, we'll go to quarter-finals, advanced stages, and then we will finally have a champion.”

A dedicated player, 23, is a serious competitor and chess teacher. He joined in the league for about a year and plays at the club almost every week. “This is a nice alternative to playing serious chess; it provides a feeling of belonging,” he said.

“It's fascinating to see how it becomes more of a communal activity, because in the past the sole individuals who played chess were those who rarely go outside; they simply remained home. It is typically just a pair competing on a chessboard …

“What I like about here is that you're not really facing the digital opponent, you're facing real people.”