Chess has long carried a “boring” stigma – quiet rooms, hushed tones, and hours hunched over a board, reserved for the so-called “brainy” types. But in Joburg, the game is shaking off that stereotype and becoming the city’s newest way to socialise. From casual meetups to more lively events with techno music, chess is now a way to try something different, meet new people, and connect with all kinds of players – young, old, sporty, stylish, and everything in between.
Johannesburg In Your Pocket writer Unathi Nkhoma recently explored Joburg's growing interest in social chess, and discovered a few spots for a casual game or two.
The rise of casual chess around the world has been nothing short of a checkmate moment. The early rumblings was The Queen’s Gambit, Netflix’s 2020 hit mini-series following orphan Beth Harmon’s journey to elite chess stardom. Topping Netflix's most-watched chart in over 63 countries, it became a global phenomenon and sparked renewed interest in the game, including my own.
After the Covid-19 pandemic, as things began to open up, many people sought new ways to connect and rediscovered the joy of sharing space – sparking new social chess clubs. Cities like Los Angeles saw a boom, where players could test their moves and maybe even their hearts. According to The Los Angeles Times, The L.A. Chess Club has become the city’s unexpected hotspot for singles looking for love off the board.
"Chess is very social, and it brings out the humanity in people," – Thabang Mnguni, founder of Chesss Klubb.
The chess craze isn’t just an American story. Across the pond, London has embraced pop-up chess clubs, and BBC2 launched Chess Masters: The Endgame, a high-stakes competition following twelve rising stars of the UK’s thriving chess scene. From casual meet-ups to televised showdowns, chess has become a social phenomenon. It’s no surprise that Johannesburg has caught on, offering clever ways to connect both mentally and socially. Seeing this, I decided to visit a few spots ourselves to see how chess is bringing people together in the city.
1. Pawn to Play
Pawn to Play, an offshoot of Joburg Chess Club is proof that chess doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Popping up twice a month on Saturdays at Mamakashaka & Friends in Braamfontein, it’s an intimate, beginner-friendly space wrapped in calm neutrals and natural textures – perfect if you’ve never even moved a pawn before. Tea, coffee, cookies, and chill hip-hop vinyl set the cosy tone – with plenty of patience for first-timers. Newcomers to chess were central to creating Pawn to Play.
“Pawn to Play was mostly inspired by two things: firstly, having it at a venue in the middle of Joburg made it more accessible to students. Secondly, we noticed people seemed quite intimidated by the idea of chess in general, so we wanted to explicitly say 'Beginners, come through, come learn',” says Tiger Koyabe, co-founder of Joburg Chess Club.
I can vouch for this: I barely knew the pieces before Koyabe wonderfully coached me through a few games, and now I’m hooked on learning more. Curious about chess but hesitant? Pawn to Play is the perfect starting square.
HOW TO JOIN THEM
You can join Pawn to Play twice a month on Saturdays at Mamakashaka & Friends in Braamfontein. Follow @mamakashakaandfriends and @joburgchess on Instagram for announcements on upcoming dates.
2. Joburg Chess Club
After sharpening your moves at Pawn to Play, you might just feel bold enough to take on a midweek challenge at Joburg Chess Club. Joburg Chess Club turns the game of kings into a cool, laid-back Wednesday wind-down. Founded by brothers Tiger and Mandla Koyabe in 2024, this club meets every Wednesday evening at Louise and Anna in Craighall Park. What started as Tiger’s way of reconnecting with friends over occasional braai chess games eventually grew into a casual midweek hangout, where chess is just the excuse to come together. The club swaps the silence and intensity usually associated with chess for good music, casual drinks, and conversations that drift from films to music as much as from knights to pawns.
Tiger explains, "A huge part of our club is that it’s not just about chess. In my opinion, it’s mostly focused on creating a space for people to have a midweek break/breather, meet new people, grab a drink if you want to, listen to good music, and pick up a new hobby."
You can expect a mix of strategy and socialising – good music, lively film and music debates, drinks in hand, and the occasional “rookie” who’s welcomed just as warmly as the seasoned players.
HOW TO JOIN THEM
You can join Joburg Chess Club every Wednesday evening from 17:00 – 22:00 at Louise & Anna in Craighall Park. Follow @joburgchess on Instagram for announcements on upcoming dates.
3. Mates In Five
Checkmate, but make it social. Hosted once a month on typically on Sundays by French For New – the crew behind Joburg’s beloved Soundset Sunday – Mates in Five swaps the usual Sunday turn-up for a calmer, yet still fun, chess affair at The Last Alpaca in Greenside.
It's not entirely beginner-friendly, though the friendly crowd will gladly show you the ropes, making it better suited for those looking to flex their chess skills competitively. If you're not chess-inclined and prefer something lighter or are waiting for available chessboards, there are other games on offer. I couldn't help but grab a deck of cards and play a few rounds of Crazy 8.
Easy bites, great drinks, and smooth sounds from DJ duo Nouveaux (the founders of French For New) set the vibe that's equal parts fun and laid-back. With its indoor-outdoor flow, hanging plants, benches, and twinkling lights, The Last Alpaca kept the vibe going after Mates in Five. Some stuck around for chats, others caught some sports on the big screens, and as the evening rolled on, the crowd swelled, proving The Last Alpaca to be a popular favourite Sunday night hangout to close off the weekend.
HOW TO JOIN THEM
You can join Mates in Five once a month at The Last Alpaca in Greenside. Follow @french.for.new on Instagram for announcements on upcoming dates.
4. Chesss Klubb
Walking into Bad Manors in Illovo, you might wonder if you’ve stumbled into the right place for chess. Deep house, dub techno and other genres fill the air. But as you take it in, you notice players deep in thought over their games, and it all starts to make sense. Chesss Klubb, founded by Thabang Mnguni, Darryl Jantjies, and Tanica Folgado, combines curated music with a full-on chess experience. Sessions usually happen one Wednesday a month, around month-end.
Chesss Klubb was born from a love of music and a desire for a slower, more social atmosphere. “Chess felt like the perfect way to break the ice and gently push people out of their comfort zone, and bond, whether you’re playing your first game with a friend, just found your match, or teaching somebody. Chess is very social, and it brings out the humanity in people,” Thabang shares.
All levels are welcome and, though it’s not the most beginner-friendly as the music can make conversation tricky if you’re learning. Attending solo, I was paired up alongside Kayla, also a newbie to chess, who started just four months ago after being challenged to learn on Discord. Between the lively tunes, friendly players, and buzzing diverse crowd ranging from just over 18 to those who are more mature in age, Chesss Klubb was easily the most spirited chess spot I visited, perfect as a pre-game hangout before hitting Illovo’s other clubs, or an atmosphere to settle into for the whole night.
HOW TO JOIN THEM
You can join Chess Klubb once a month on Wednesdays at Bad Manors in Illovo. Follow @chesssklubb on Instagram for announcements on upcoming dates.
Chess tips
Keen to pull up to a chess night or level up your game? We asked Tiger Koyabe of Joburg Chess Club and Thabang Mnguni of Chesss Klubb to share their top tips:
1. Play often – Aim for at least two games a day. This helps you get used to the flow of the game and to losing (which happens more than half the time, even for professionals).
2. Learn an opening – A quick YouTube search can work wonders. I’ve seen people improve dramatically just by adding one opening to their repertoire.
3. Don’t fear mistakes – As Garry Kasparov said, “Fear of mistakes guarantees mistakes.” Make the right moves, make the wrong moves, and learn why they’re wrong. That’s the only way to get better.
4. Most importantly – have fun!
Written by Unathi Nkhoma.
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