We use our quick, fun version of the traditional game as an ice breaker tool to get people talking a
13/01/2026
We’re in Cambridgr market every Tuesday selling vintage chess sets and having interactions with 5asideCHESS. If you’re interested in a vintage set buy can’t make it to the market, check out our website www.Cambridgechessforum.com
♟️Some stalls sell things.
Some stalls change lives. ❤️
Diane and Ross from 5 aside CHESS use the power of play to help reduce isolation and support mental wellbeing.
Catch them on Tuesdays at Cambridge Market and see how a chessboard can open up a whole new conversation. 💬🤝
20/07/2025
Hopefully this is the start of something really powerful in Cardiff ♟️❤️
11/08/2023
This morning in the community space in Tesco Bar Hill, Richard met Zaki. Richard only started learning this morning and Zaki is already a good player but they were still able to connect over a game of 5asideCHESS. Zaki was very patient and generous in helping Richard to learn and start his own journey.
The exciting thing is that you never know who you will meet when you go out to play 5asideCHESS and what will come out of it.
02/08/2023
Starting Monday 7 August in the Octagon, Bar Hill, CB23 8EH (opposite Maple Surgery) - learn to play 5 aside CHESS over a cuppa and some homemade cakes. Everyone welcome whether you are from or further afield.
28/07/2023
A beautiful meeting of minds as some of the regulars work together to solve a 5asideCHESS puzzle in Grapes Cambridge
5asideCHESS is an ice breaking tool to get people connecting, talking and puzzling things out together. Ask the staff behind the bar if you can borrow the set and have a go yourself.
26/07/2023
If you have a child aged 8-12 who is interested in improving their footy game, sign up for this free event on Friday 4th August.
03/07/2023
Day 4 of our mini tour and the 5asideCHESS team are in Leicester market at the invitation of the council. Exciting things are coming to Leicester - our WingMAN, Adrian, will soon be opening a 5asideCHESS market stall and play hub offering coaching in chess and life skills.
If you’re in the area today please come down and say hello. Otherwise, watch this space for future developments.
Leicester Markets
Thanks to Bright Hygiene Management Ltd for keeping the Battling Su***de Bus on the road
03/07/2023
What a great serendipitous visit to the Old Thatched Inn At Stanton Under Bardon last night. Manager Sunny is already doing so much to help his local community
We have had a great visit today from 5 aside CHESS Who work to help Battle Su***de. Help people communicate, interact more, Share their problems, please pop down to the Thatch on a Tuesday afternoon 12-4PM. If you feel lonely depressed or just want a little chat we have teas and coffee is available for free with our games afternoon. 
28/06/2023
Looking forward to visiting on Sunday. Please come down and say hello 👋
28/06/2023
The Battling Su***de bus tour is coming to The Life Rooms Walton this Friday! The bus tours around the UK, stopping off in towns to offer a chat, cuppa and game of chess ♟️🤝
5 aside CHESS builds connections, fights loneliness and promotes social inclusion.
Come along from 11:30am - 2pm 💚
23/06/2023
Really looking forward to meeting everyone tomorrow. Solve a 5asideCHESS mate in 2 puzzle to win a prize Emmaus-Suffolk Bright Hygiene Management Ltd
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Social interaction is on the decline. More and more people are living their lives online and becoming detached from reality. This is an invitation to healthy living by getting people interacting in the outside world while playing a game with significant health benefits. If you work all day using a computer, this can be your release. If you are on the go all day, this is your unwind. If you want to meet new people, this brings you together.
In places across the UK, our HELLO PEOPLE sit and talk with members of the public. They are hosted by PARTNER VENUES that offer them tea and coffee for a few hours.
5asideCHESS has connected with the most diverse and incredible people over the past 6 months as we push to fight loneliness and promote social inclusion in the UK. And, most importantly, they have connected with each other.
Maybe after reading this you can be involved too? As a HELLO Person, Partner Venue or Sponsor…
Who are the HELLO PEOPLE? Can I be one?
The answer is absolutely yes.
Every day we work to ensure our team of HELLO people are stationed in Cafes, community centers, nursing homes, pubs and many other venues around the country.
They sit with the 5asideCHESS set and a book for a few hours, offering everyone and anyone the opportunity to sit down and have a chat.
Our HELLO People range from elderly community members looking to get out of the house, to students keen to spend a few hours away from their screens, reconnecting in the art of conversation?
They are women and men, from multiple ethnicities, ranging in age from 19 to 72 years old (right now). We’ve lost count of the number of religions represented. Some like dogs. Others are cat people. Martin used to be an accountant, Stevie used to be an alcoholic. Every single one of them wants to reconnect. To come back in from the cold of social media, their own minds and even their preconceptions of others.
