‘We’re merging the DNA of hip-hop/pop into chess’: CSCB creates community for Gen Z in Brixton
Founder Kojo Dwimoh says he started the chess club as a way to rekindle his friendship group instilling the spark and culture of South London into chess.
On a quiet Wednesday night in South London, restaurants and pubs have closed for the day, but one building remains full to the brim.
The pop-up chess club has become more popular week by week, reaching up to 100 people. The founder Kojo Dwimoh started the club, CSCB to create a community for young people in Brixton.
He said: “The chess club was almost a natural happening, inspired by the friendship my friends and I had, the DNA within our friendship inspired and trickled into the club we have now.”
The chess fights social isolation meeting the expectations of real life experiences fulfilling the growing desire amongst young people for meaningful social interaction post-lockdown.
“Chess is one of those games, where it forces you to pause, reflect, take a moment with what you’re doing. Amongst those reflections you have the opportunity to gauge the atmosphere of the venue, your friends and post-match have a conversation on a deeper level” adds Dwimoh.
Jamie Thorton is a Chess Champion urging the positive benefits of chess throughout his connection with the community and friends.
He said: “I’ve joined clubs in both Manchester and London and I’ve always had that community and teams to play in and I’ve made friends for life playing chess.”
As the game of chess becomes more accessible through regular meet-ups and shows like the Queen’s Gambit, the club not only improves focus, accountability and friendship but allows young people to extend their passion for the game beyond initial perceptions.
“The only way people find out about CSCB is through word of mouth, tell a friend to tell a friend,” said Founder Kojo Dwimoh.
“CSCB is that hip-hop/pop of the chess world, adding a sprinkle of sauce of chess and allowing people to view it on a more mainstream perspective and accept that it’s a sport for the masses not just for the pretentious few who are intelligent” says Dwimoh.
“My son can be a chess champion but he also should have that environment where he can feel like himself, be himself and also train it” he adds.
The club aims to align Gen Z into emerging pop culture, regular member Cat Imuere said that CSCB has rekindled her love of the board game.
“I used to think chess was very elitist, growing up in South London there are not many chess clubs and if they were, they were mainly focused on private schools or it’s just inaccessible. I didn’t know any people who came to chess clubs and now coming here, I’ve found a community” she says.
Infusing the DNA, culture and heart of his friendship, Dwimoh describes CSCB as a family building meaningful connection through a chess infused with South London culture, ditching night clubs for chess boards.
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Headline‘We’re merging the DNA of hip-hop/pop into chess’: CSCB creates community for Gen Z in Brixton
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StandfirstFounder Kojo Dwimoh says he started the chess club as a way to rekindle his friendship group instilling the spark and culture of South London into chess.
On a quiet Wednesday night in South London, restaurants and pubs have closed for the day, but one building remains full to the brim.
The pop-up chess club has become more popular week by week, reaching up to 100 people. The founder Kojo Dwimoh started the club, CSCB to create a community for young people in Brixton.
He said: “The chess club was almost a natural happening, inspired by the friendship my friends and I had, the DNA within our friendship inspired and trickled into the club we have now.”
The chess fights social isolation meeting the expectations of real life experiences fulfilling the growing desire amongst young people for meaningful social interaction post-lockdown.
“Chess is one of those games, where it forces you to pause, reflect, take a moment with what you’re doing. Amongst those reflections you have the opportunity to gauge the atmosphere of the venue, your friends and post-match have a conversation on a deeper level” adds Dwimoh.
Jamie Thorton is a Chess Champion urging the positive benefits of chess throughout his connection with the community and friends.
He said: “I’ve joined clubs in both Manchester and London and I’ve always had that community and teams to play in and I’ve made friends for life playing chess.”
As the game of chess becomes more accessible through regular meet-ups and shows like the Queen’s Gambit, the club not only improves focus, accountability and friendship but allows young people to extend their passion for the game beyond initial perceptions.
“The only way people find out about CSCB is through word of mouth, tell a friend to tell a friend,” said Founder Kojo Dwimoh.
“CSCB is that hip-hop/pop of the chess world, adding a sprinkle of sauce of chess and allowing people to view it on a more mainstream perspective and accept that it’s a sport for the masses not just for the pretentious few who are intelligent” says Dwimoh.
“My son can be a chess champion but he also should have that environment where he can feel like himself, be himself and also train it” he adds.
The club aims to align Gen Z into emerging pop culture, regular member Cat Imuere said that CSCB has rekindled her love of the board game.
“I used to think chess was very elitist, growing up in South London there are not many chess clubs and if they were, they were mainly focused on private schools or it’s just inaccessible. I didn’t know any people who came to chess clubs and now coming here, I’ve found a community” she says.
Infusing the DNA, culture and heart of his friendship, Dwimoh describes CSCB as a family building meaningful connection through a chess infused with South London culture, ditching night clubs for chess boards.
