Checkmate! Birmingham improving community spirit!

AN EVENT TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER WHILST CHALLENGING STEREOTYPES AROUND CHESS AND BREAKING DOWN ANY INTERGENERATIONAL BARRIERS IN THE PROCESS.

ABOUT CHECKMATE! BIRMINGHAM

Checkmate! is a regular free event bringing people together to play chess & socialize. You don’t need to any experience playing chess. Whether it’s your first game or your hundredth game, Checkmate! offers a safe, relaxed environment for everyone to enjoy.

CHECKMATE’S GOALS

Checkmate! Birmingham’s goal is  simple: to improve community spirit through a common passion, however new, for chess. Checkmate! is a chance to enjoy playing, learning and meeting new people in aid of bringing individuals back together after months stuck in the same environment.

WHY? CHECKMATE! AIMS TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITIES HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Checkmate! is a way of helping to improve people’s mental health, we feel the need to be connected our communities following the pandemic and challenge stereotypes around chess being for the older generations. Checkmate! is a way of bridging the gap between the old and new. We want to bring a fresh and fun perspective whilst playfully challenging the stigma attached to the game!

THE BRAINS BEHIND CHECKMATE! BIRMINGHAM COREE KIRBY Founder

“I want Checkmate! to be a dedicated safe space for members of our community to feel able to express themselves & be supported, alongside starting & growing their chess skills.

The idea came as a way of supporting the community post-lockdown. It’s been a tough year and I know everyone has had their own personal struggles, hopefully Checkmate! will help make the way back to normality a bit easier”