Genuinely open
Beginners first, casual players next, competitive players too. Everyone has a seat at the board.
About
More than a chess social
We exist to make serious chess genuinely open, bringing beginners in across London where traditional clubs can’t, and pairing that with real demand and quality.
Aranan · FounderBACA Chess is founded and led by Aranan, our Founder and CEO. In just eight months he took it from an idea to the fastest-growing chess community in the UK, and that pace is no accident.
Before BACA, Aranan built a wedding photography business from the ground up, and he brought that same brand and growth craft straight into chess: treating BACA as a brand to build properly, top to bottom, rather than a casual meet-up.
He is a strong player too, around 2200 online, so he reads the game at every level. That is part of why BACA draws higher-calibre players while still feeling genuinely welcoming to someone sitting down for their very first game.
Pair that with a real entrepreneur’s drive and you get something other clubs cannot quite replicate: true openness alongside serious demand. We bring beginners in where traditional chess clubs struggle to, then back it with events that sell out in minutes.
Our crowd has included influencers, Apprentice candidates, millionaires, and everyone in between.
What makes us different
Open to all. Serious about chess.
Beginners welcome
We bring new players in where traditional clubs can feel closed off. No jargon, no judgement.
Serious demand & quality
Sell-out rooms and strong players. Inclusive doesn’t mean unserious. The chess is real.
The proof
- 200+
- Person events
- 8 months
- From launch to here
- 2200
- Founder online rating
- #1
- Fastest-growing in the UK
Come see what the noise is about.
Join 1500+ members. Come for the chess, stay for the community.