Chess Cafe

Hi folks,

Im thinking about possibly opening a Chess Cafe/shop somewhere in London. Just wondered if anyone has seen anything like this before??

My 'idea' (which has probably been thought of by a billion chessaholics over the years) would be to set up a cafe where people can come down knowing they could meet opponents for over the board chess.

This cafe would sell books and sets on sale, as well as having a giant chess board for people to play on.

Im thinking of the possibility of holding summer day long tournaments open to all comers.

Have you seen a place like this before??

If so is it still open??

Do any of you have any suggestions that you think would be useful?


All posts greatfully accepted~>*
J@ymz~>*😲

When I was in the Army stationed in Germany I used to play chess in Coffee shops and gasthauses all the time. And when I took a vacation and visited England, Scotland, and Wales I could find a game in one of the local pubs. Guiness and chess is a pretty good combination as far as I'm concerned.😀

I have searched all over London for venues to play chess and found nothing. When i visited Frace last summer for 6 weeks, i came across the jardin de Luxembourg. This park had a dedicated chess area with tables set out for people to play on. There were some AWESOME players there and i spent many happy weeks getting whooped by them.

I have seen similar places in Holland, Germany and Austria, i don't see why London can't support one.

I was thinking that i might start a club from the cafe. This club would compete in the Middlesex league (or the Thames valley league if the standard was low)

This would have the result, i hope, that chess will be brought a little closer to the English psyche. Our great game doesn't feature much in England, not like it does in Russia or Iceland. I've just finished reading a biography of Bobby Fischer. It makes no small point of the benefit he took from playing chess in Manhatton square (i think that's right, ooh err...).


Basically, as im sure most of you have thought at one point or another, is that i enjoy chess! In fact, i don't really find myself drawn to do anything else. The thought of being totally surrounded by moves, all day, appeals to me very much.😕

Originally posted by marinakatomb
I have searched all over London for venues to play chess and found nothing. When i visited Frace last summer for 6 weeks, i came across the jardin de Luxembourg. This park had a dedicated chess area with tables set out for people to play on. There were some AWESOME players there and i spent many happy weeks getting whooped by them.

I have seen simila ...[text shortened]... hing else. The thought of being totally surrounded by moves, all day, appeals to me very much.😕

Thanks slimjim. I've never done anything like this before though, so it's a bit daunting.

Has anyone here started a business like this ?(a cafe or a bookshop or something similar) Any words of advice, hmmm??😀

Originally posted by marinakatomb
Thanks slimjim. I've never done anything like this before though, so it's a bit daunting.

Has anyone here started a business like this ?(a cafe or a bookshop or something similar) Any words of advice, hmmm??😀

My father run small business' all his life so i've seen what a drain on one's time and energy they can be. What business are you in out of interest?🙂

Originally posted by marinakatomb
My father run small business' all his life so i've seen what a drain on one's time and energy they can be. What business are you in out of interest?🙂

Originally posted by marinakatomb
My father run small business' all his life so i've seen what a drain on one's time and energy they can be. What business are you in out of interest?🙂

There are plenty of general purpose games shops in London, were as there are only a hand full of Chess specific ones. I think the chess is only going to be a small part of the business as it is my passion. Outside of revenue generated by book and set sales, the main revenue of the business would come from drink and food sales.

I haven't got a venue for this place lined up yet. I’m thinking near a park or in a town square would be the best place. Somewhere where people can congregate in a relaxed environment.

And why not? seems the phrase that comes to mind.

In the UK, chess has tended to be a pub game: mainly because till recently our social meeting point was always the pub. Cafes are quite new so its no surprise they haven't developed that structure yet. No doubt however that the pub fraternity also are prone to the odd latte, choc muffin etc, so why not try it out?

If you do, consider fly-posting the pubs that participate in local chess leagues (google for chess league london pub or the like) to help drum up some start-up interest.

And of course, have a net PC for RHPers to drop in and keep up to date while their vacation flag is up... 🙂

There was / is a similar concept in Cambridge, called CB1 - was one of the UK's first two cybercafes when it opened in 94 or so, and also has always had plenty of bookshelves stacked with old second hand paperbacks (fiction, sci-fi, psychology, maths, physics - think Cambridge second-hand bookshop!) plus backgammon and chess sets. I haunted the place for a few years after it opened rather than do any academic work, and there were always a few games going - seemed to draw people. Worth checking out how it is doing - I haven't been there for a few years.

Review on the Hilton Harbour website: http://hilton.org.uk/cambridge.phtml

I think it's a great idea (and one I've had myself) but I'd talk to an accountant and maybe do a short business management/bookkeeping course first. Have you talked to anyone? Something like 80 per cent of all small businesses fold in the first year. If your dad has a business maybe he taught you a few things. I agree that you shouldn't go in half-assed. Check it out thoroughly before you commit (find out how many cafes there are in the area, which ones are popular and why, how many have gone bust in the last five years).
Have you got a style concept? Cheap coffee, cushy chairs and good chess, a home away from home? or gourmet coffee, blueberry muffins, and a good view out the window? I'd say chess players usually go for the former. Pubs, youth hostels and chess clubs are good places to advertise.
I don't have any experience except as a customer. As a customer, the most important things for me are the staff and the environment. I'd hire someone with lots of cafe experience (at least five years) who is super friendly. Try to create an atmosphere where people can relax (avoid the bright lights and garish colours). Also check out the local chess club and see what their attendance figures are.
Have some gimmicks, like free food and drinks to any masters who drop in and play a game, Saturday afternoon/night tourneys, and of course some computers with internet so people can log in to redhotpawn. 😀

This sounds like a great idea. Wish I had something like this in the US.

Oh and as far as chess sets go - how about this for the backyard -
www.megachess.com !

Best of Luck to you!

nice idea but you will have to open very late as chess in the smoke can be played by working persons and a venue is always a problem. You could contact the london chess club for some info, they are online. Wish you well