Discover 5asideCHESS

At Cambridge Chess Forum, we believe chess can do more than entertain - it can change lives. That’s why we proudly support 5asideCHESS, a social enterprise that uses chess as a tool to tackle one of society’s growing problems: disconnection. "In 5asideCHESS, Your 1st move is Hello".

This is not about winning or losing - it’s about connection before competition. It’s about creating space for understanding, support, and shared humanity through the game of chess.

Every chess set purchased from us directly supports 5asideCHESS. You’re not just buying a board - you’re helping fund community outreach, youth engagement, mental health initiatives, and real-life change across the UK.

This is how we bring people back to the board - and back to each other.

Two men playing 5asideCHESS at a table in a busy cafe with other patrons in the background.

Loneliness, isolation, and lack of belonging are on the rise across all age groups. 5asideCHESS steps into that gap with something simple but powerful - a 6 x 5 sided chess set, designed to get people talking. Our mantra is "Celebrate Difference"

Their portable boards show up in unexpected places: town centres, schools, prisons, libraries, workplaces, mental health settings. The aim? To spark conversation, break down barriers, and give people a reason to stop, sit, and connect.

"It's Who you Meet, not Who you Beat."

Every chess set purchased from us directly supports 5asideCHESS. Your purchase helps fund community outreach, youth projects, and mental health initiatives that use the game to spark conversation and tackle loneliness.

You’re not just buying a board - you’re helping bring people back to the table, and back to each other.

How to play 5asideCHESS

  • The Rules

    5asideCHESS is a fast, accessible version of chess, it’s perfect for new players, younger learners, or anyone who might find a full chess game too long or intimidating. The aim is to make connection easy, one game at a time.

    Each player starts with:

    • 1 King
    • 1 Queen
    • 1 Bishop
    • 1 Knight
    • 1 Castle
    • 5 Pawns

    The game is played on a specialised 6×5 chessboard - a compact version of the standard 8×8 board.

    The Objective

    Just like traditional chess → Checkmate your opponent’s King using standard chess rules.

  • How It Works

    • All pieces move exactly as they do in traditional chess
    • Because the board is smaller and there are fewer pieces, games are much faster - often just a few minutes
    • Line up your pieces, left to right: Castle, Knight, Bishop, Queen, King on the back row, with the opposite side mirrored.
    • Pawns start in the row in front, just like in standard chess

    First move is decided however you like - coin flip, youngest player, etc.

  • Why It's Different

    5asideCHESS isn’t just about the game - it’s a social tool designed to bring people together. It’s used across the UK in schools, libraries, city centres, workplaces, and even prisons to:

    • Start conversations
    • Tackle loneliness
    • Encourage inclusion
    • Build confidence

    Because it’s faster, simpler, and more welcoming than a full game of chess, it opens the door to connection - especially in places where it’s most needed.
Two people playing 5asideCHESS at a picnic table in an outdoor setting with other people in the background.

It's All About Connection

At its core, 5asideCHESS is about connection - creating space for people to pause, sit down, and talk. It’s a quiet invitation to engage, human to human, one move at a time.

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