New here?
Everything you need for your first chess night.
How a night works
Grab a coffee, tell a host your level, and we'll pair you with someone similar — or with a stronger player who's happy to explain moves. Play as many games as you like. Boards and clocks are provided.
Never played?
Perfect. There's always a learning table where someone walks you through how the pieces move. No question is too basic.
Etiquette in 30 seconds
Shake hands before and after. Keep it quiet near games in progress. “Touch-move” — if you touch a piece, you move it (relaxed at the learning table). Say “good game” win or lose.
Want to improve?
Free sites like lichess.org have puzzles and lessons. Many players also track a rating — a number that estimates strength. Chess Canada runs official rated play if you get hooked.
Words you'll hear
- Check / checkmate
- The king is attacked / attacked with no escape — game over.
- Castling
- A special move tucking your king to safety behind a rook.
- Blitz
- Fast games, usually 3–5 minutes per player on the clock.
- Rapid
- Games of 10–30 minutes each — great for club nights.
- Opening
- The first moves of a game. Ideas: control the centre, develop pieces, castle.
- Simul
- One strong player takes on many opponents at once.
- Rating (Elo)
- A number that estimates playing strength. Beginners are often under 1000.