The Asia Square Chess Meetup: Checkmates, Chill Vibes, and New Friends
Ever thought your mid-week happy hour could use more checkmates and chess banter? The Asia Square chess meetup in Singapore offers exactly that – an after-work chess scene bustling with friendly competition, humor, and a welcoming vibe right in the heart of the city’s Central Business District [1]. It’s where knights and bishops battle it out amid office towers, and where a stranger can become a chess buddy faster than you can say “checkmate.”
Mr. Bradley Loh (right) founded the Asia Square chess meetup, where dozens gather every Wednesday in Singapore’s CBD to play casual, after-work chess. Source: The Strait Times
Location – A Chess Oasis in Singapore’s CBD
The meetup takes place in Singapore, specifically at The Cube atrium of Asia Square Tower 1 in the swanky Marina Bay financial district [1]. Picture a spacious open plaza with a 16m-high ceiling and even some fountains nearby – it’s not your typical dim chess club in a basement. Every Wednesday evening, tables in this airy, public space transform into chess battlefields from around 6:30pm until 9:30-10pm [1][2]. Just a stone’s throw (about 10m) from The Cube, office workers clink glasses at a bar, but in our corner the sounds of clinking chess clocks rule the night [1]. The setting is surprisingly peaceful and conducive to mental battles – a true chess oasis amid downtown hustle [1].
Who Attends – A Mix of Rookies, Rusty Returners, and Chess Aficionados
One of the coolest things about the Asia Square meetup is the diverse crowd it attracts. On any given week you’ll find a mix of locals and expats roughly in equal measure [1]. Many are working professionals in their 20s, 30s and 40s who love chess but “stopped playing competitively after they started work” [1]. They’re now dusting off their skills for some casual after-work games. Alongside them might be a couple of keen teenagers or even the occasional parent-child duo – this meetup is one of the rare chess hangouts in Singapore where adults actually outnumber kids [2]!
The Vibe – Relaxed, Social, and Casually Competitive
Despite the clacking of chess pieces and the occasional cry of “check!”, the vibe at Asia Square’s meetup is decidedly relaxed and social. This isn’t a hushed championship match with spectators holding their breath – it’s more like a group of friends unwinding with a brain-teasing game. Chess veterans and newbies mingle casually; you’ll often see a grin or hear laughter after someone blunders a queen or pulls off a sneaky fork. The organizer, Bradley Loh, originally started this group precisely because he wanted “pub chess” or outdoor casual chess where adults can play socially [1], and that laid-back spirit lives on.
How Often and How to Join – Just Show Up and Play
The Asia Square chess meetup is a weekly affair. Mark your calendar for every Wednesday evening – rain or shine, chess is on! If you’re wondering how to join, the beauty is that it’s incredibly simple. There’s no formal registration, no membership fees, no secret handshake – you literally can just show up and start playing.
To join the fun:
1. Pick a Wednesday – The meetup runs every Wednesday, typically starting around 6:30pm and going until about 9:30 or 10pm[2]. Perfect for unwinding after work mid-week.
2. Head to Asia Square Tower 1 – The games take place at The Cube, an open-air plaza on the ground floor of Asia Square Tower 1 (near Downtown MRT in Singapore’s CBD) [1]. Don’t worry, you’ll spot the chess crowd easily – just look for tables filled with chessboards and people intently moving pieces.
3. Say hello and grab a game – Simply walk up and introduce yourself. The meetup is open to anyone and everyone; you don’t have to be a member of any club or even RSVP (though the group does have a Meetup.com page and a Facebook group for announcements) [3]. Regulars are super welcoming to newcomers – they love seeing fresh faces.
4. Bring a chess set (optional) – If you have your own chess set and clock, bring them along. The community does provide some boards (in fact, the dedicated organizer lugs about 10 chess sets to the venue every week [1]!), but the meetup has become so popular that extra sets help ensure everyone gets to play without waiting [2]. If you don’t have a set, no problem – there’s usually someone willing to share or rotate games.
5. Enjoy & play at your own pace – Once you’re there, jump into a game or watch others for a bit if you’re feeling shy. There’s no pressure – you can play one quick round or stay all night. Some players come for a single game before heading home, while others make an evening of it and play dozens of blitz rounds. Win or lose, it’s all about the fun and the friendly community experience.
Did we mention it’s free? That’s right – there are no fees whatsoever to join or play [2]. You could say the only price of admission is perhaps a firm handshake and your willingness to say “Anyone up for a game?” In fact, one regular joked that he’d gladly offer a money-back guarantee for a pleasant experience… except there’s nothing to pay in the first place [2]!
In the Endgame
In summary, The Asia Square chess meetup is a gem of a gathering in Singapore – relaxed, social, and open-to-all. It’s the kind of place where you can sharpen your mind and loosen your tie at the same time. You’ll meet a spectrum of people bound by a common love for the game, experience a welcoming environment that’s as much about making friends as it is about checkmates, and probably walk away with a great story or two (and maybe a slightly bruised ego if that 10-year-old prodigy happens to school you – don’t worry, it’s character building!).
If you’re in Singapore on a Wednesday, swing by Asia Square Tower 1 with a chess set under your arm and join the fun. As the community’s ethos goes, “all are welcome” and the goal is simply to make chess fun and accessible to everyone [3][4]. Who knows – you might just find that a mid-week chess session is the perfect pawn to spice up your work-life balance. And at the very least, you’ll leave with 32 new friends (okay, that’s counting the pieces… but the human friends you make will be even better!). Checkmate to boring Wednesdays – hello to The Asia Square chess meetup experience!
Sources:
[1] After-work chess group checks all the right boxes | The Straits Times
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/after-work-chess-group-checks-all-the-right-boxes
[2] Where to Play Chess in Singapore 2018 – forkandpin
https://forkandpin.wordpress.com/2018/01/20/where-to-play-chess-in-singapore-2018/
[3] ‘Drink teh, then we play’: How one club makes chess accessible to everyone in S’pore | The Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2024/12/aliwal-chess-club-singapore/index.html
[4] Chess Is Making A Comeback In Singapore And I Am Ecstatic - Vulcan Post
https://vulcanpost.com/578050/chess-making-comeback-singapore/
