Two strangers laughing over a 5asideCHESS board at a street table in Oxford

Your 1st move is Hello

Human connection is the purpose. Chess is simply the tool.

Every meaningful encounter has the potential to change someone's journey. We create the encounters. You bring the hello.

Start your journey What is 5asideCHESS?

Two strangers. One board. A conversation that neither of them planned.Cowley Road, Oxford

OUR ETHOS

We believe life isn't measured by victories. It's measured by the people we meet. 5asideCHESS is the invitation to connect.

“It's who you meet, not who you beat”

5asideCHESS creates the reason to speak

A 5asideCHESS board on a table gives two strangers permission to say hello. Everything else follows.

5asideCHESS shows up where people are

Libraries, cafés, community rooms, street corners and a Battle Bus that goes anywhere.

We celebrate what happens next

The real story starts after the first move. We collect those stories and make them visible.

A man teaching another how to play 5asideCHESS across a green library table

The Game

5 main pieces. 5 minutes. No experience needed.

5asideCHESS is a mini version of the ancient game chess — Learn in as little as 5 minutes and use it as a tool to go on a journey of self-discovery and personal development. Chess is played all over the world, which makes it the perfect universal language of connection.

What it is Why we made it Who it's for

Stories of journeys