For decades, Chess carried a reputation that wasn't exactly glamorous. It was often seen as a quiet pastime for academics, tucked away in school clubs or played by grandmasters in hushed tournament halls.
Fast forward to today, and things look very different!
Chess has become one of the fastest-growing tabletop games in the world. Millions of people play online every day, social media is packed with puzzle videos and tournament highlights, and local clubs are welcoming more newcomers than they have in years. The British Chess Championships, held this year at the University of Warwick, are another reminder that the game is thriving. From young prodigies to lifelong competitors, this year's event showcased exactly why chess continues to capture people's imagination.
Meet Britain's youngest competitor!
One of the standout stories from the tournament is six-year-old Riyaan from Coventry, who arrived as the youngest player taking part. That alone would be impressive enough, but Riyaan is already Britain's highest-rated player in his age group and currently ranks ninth in the world among under-sevens. Unlike many children who discover Chess through school, Riyaan first picked up the game at home. After watching his father and older sister learn together online, he wanted to give it a try himself. What started as family fun quickly became something much bigger. According to his father, Robert, it didn't take long before Riyaan was matching him move for move.
More than just a board game
Chess has always been easy to learn but incredibly difficult to master. Every game begins with the same pieces arranged in the same positions, yet no two matches are ever truly identical. Unlike many hobbies, Chess rewards patience, planning and creativity just as much as quick thinking. Players constantly balance attack with defence while trying to predict several moves ahead. That combination is a big reason why people often stick with the game for years after learning the rules.
Research has also linked regular Chess play with improvements in problem solving, concentration and pattern recognition, making it popular with both schools and families. While it isn't a shortcut to becoming smarter, it does provide plenty of opportunities to practise strategic thinking.
Why has Chess exploded?
The recent growth of Chess didn't happen by accident. During the Covid lockdowns, millions of people searched for hobbies they could enjoy from home. Online Chess platforms made it possible to play against friends or complete strangers at any time of day, with games lasting anywhere from one minute to several hours.
Then came The Queen's Gambit. Netflix's hugely successful drama introduced chess to audiences who had never considered playing before. Suddenly, Chess wasn't just a competitive sport. It had become part of popular culture.
Content creators helped keep that momentum going. Grandmasters and streamers began broadcasting live matches, explaining tactics and creating entertaining videos that made even complex positions easier to understand. Today, platforms like YouTube and Twitch attract huge audiences for major tournaments, proving that watching Chess can be just as exciting as playing it.
A new generation steps up
The popularity of Chess is reflected in the numbers. The English Chess Federation says its membership has doubled since 2015, growing from around 10,000 members to 20,000. Alex Hołowczak, the federation's director of events, believes the recent boom has encouraged many younger players to give the game a chance.
"We had a big surge in membership around the time of Covid and The Queen's Gambit, when there was a lot more exposure to Chess," he said.
"Lots of the children who maybe would have done other activities came to do chess instead, and a lot of them are still around playing now."
That long-term interest is perhaps the biggest success story. Rather than being a passing trend, many of those new players have continued competing, studying openings and joining clubs.
Proof that age doesn't matter!
If Riyaan represented the future of Chess, another competitor demonstrated just how long the game can stay with you. John Eddershaw, aged 93, was the oldest player at this year's championships. Having first learned the rules from his father when he was eight years old, he has spent a lifetime enjoying the game.
"I've had untold pleasure," he said. "People I've met, the games I've played, and where one was able to travel."
His tournament included a memorable match against Riyaan, creating an incredible 87-year age gap between opponents.
"I wasn't bored or anything. In fact, he was teaching me something," Eddershaw said.
Although experience won that encounter, the game itself perfectly summed up what makes Chess special. Very few activities can bring together competitors separated by nearly nine decades, yet still place them on completely equal footing when the first move is played.
The next move!
Chess has never really disappeared, but it has certainly found a new audience. Whether it's children discovering the game for the first time, adults returning after years away or veterans still competing in their nineties, the chess community continues to grow. Stories like Riyaan's remind us that talent can appear at any age, while players like John Eddershaw show that the enjoyment of Chess can last a lifetime.
If you've ever been tempted to learn, now might be the perfect time to dust off a chessboard, download an app or challenge a friend. After all, every grandmaster started with a single move!
