What Is 5asideCHESS and Why Does It Matter?

Chess, Connection, and a 6×5 Board That’s Changing Lives

At Cambridge Chess Forum, we often talk about 5asideCHESS. It’s more than a partner. It’s the heartbeat of why we do what we do.

5asideCHESS is a social enterprise with a bold mission: to tackle disconnection in society using chess as a tool for face-to-face conversation. It was founded on the belief that loneliness and social isolation are growing problems - and that small, human moments can make a big difference.

So how does it work?

5asideCHESS created a compact version of the game using a 6×5 board and a simplified set of pieces: King, Queen, Rook (Castle), Bishop, Knight, and 5 pawns. The board is portable. The rules are the same. But the setup is quicker, the barrier to entry is lower, and the purpose is clear: connection before competition.

These sets travel into communities across the UK: schools, town centres, libraries, prisons, youth groups, mental health settings, and more. They invite people to sit, play, and talk. No agenda. No pressure. Just a board and a chance to share space.

Every chess set purchased through Cambridge Chess Forum helps support this mission. The proceeds help fund outreach events, set donations, and the day-to-day running of 5asideCHESS as it continues to grow.

We believe in the simplicity of the model. And the humanity of it. In a world full of screens, distractions, and division, 5asideCHESS reminds us that connection starts with a conversation. And sometimes, that conversation starts with a chessboard.

Learn more or support directly → [5asidechess.com]