Sisters Khalisa Sofiyah Zakri and Umaira Sofiyah Zakri, together with Imen Sim Iskandar, have formed “Friends Who Chess”, a new social club which encourages people to make new friends while playing the board game.
Founded in December last year, the group was inspired by the chess culture the trio encountered while studying in the United Kingdom.
“We used to go to these chess clubs across London, which were held in parks, or bars and restaurants. They always had such a fun, casual vibe. And we thought, why not replicate this in KL?” Imen told FMT Lifestyle.
“We’re trying to break the stigma around chess that it’s meant to be very serious and intellectual. We believe it can be seen as a social medium that can be enjoyed by everyone,” Imen added.
The group held its first meeting at Bartolo Bakehouse in Central Market last year. Around 30 people attended, mostly friends and family, and the trio admitted feeling nervous about whether their club would have the momentum to continue.
Their concerns soon proved unfounded. Word of mouth spread quickly, and the meetups began drawing increasingly large crowds. One session at A+ Works of Art in Kuala Lumpur attracted about 150 people.
At this month’s session, held at Mojo’s in Kuala Lumpur, about 30 people gathered for the start of the event. Chatter filled the air as chess boards were laid out across tables, pieces set in place, and the first games of the evening quietly began.
Umaira said the club’s inclusive approach had drawn players of all levels, from beginners to online players who first discovered the game through platforms like chess.com.
“They find that playing in person is nicer than playing chess online, because you get to play physically and interact with people. We also try to host it at different venues each time, so you get a nice day out as well,” Umaira said.
Khalisa added that while there were other chess clubs in the country, most were competitive in nature. “Friends Who Chess”, however, also focuses on the social aspect of the game: making mates is just as important as checkmates.
Instead of focusing on chess as a competition, the group leans into the idea of the game as a shared activity that can bring strangers together.
“Chess tournaments can feel very serious and intimidating. But this is a much more chill and relaxed environment. There’s no pressure to win. If you want to meet new people and just play, this is the perfect place for that,” Khalisa said.
She believes chess is undergoing something of a cultural revival, particularly among younger people, with the rise of influencers, online platforms and the game’s growing visibility on social media helping to draw more people in.
The club meets at least once a month at various venues across the Klang Valley. While many attendees are aged between 20 and 35, people of all ages and backgrounds also turn up.
According to the trio, many leave not just with a few games played, but with new friendships forged as well.
And while the trio all juggle full-time jobs (Imen works in banking, Khalisa in auditing and Umaira at a telco), they are determined to keep the initiative going and hope to organise even more gatherings in the future.
They hope to collaborate with larger venues, brands and third spaces, as the community continues to expand.
Imen believes the club’s growing popularity reflects a wider desire for genuine social interaction. Despite the prevalence of digital entertainment and high-tech games, many people still crave human connection through shared activities.
“We’re definitely seeing more and more people get into the game and enjoy it,” Umaira concluded. “We hope that these gatherings show you don’t have to be a professional to enjoy this game. Chess is for everyone.”
Follow ‘Friends Who Chess’ on Instagram.