Road 2 "Project Chess"

"I just had a brilliant idea."

This is what I thought to myself one morning (groundbreaking, I know). However there is method to the madness. This was more about formalising something that was already happening in my community.

I live in the warehouse district in Hackney Wick - where at any hour someone, somewhere is playing chess. We are not all GMs but we do have fun especially when we involve alcohol and some other substances (I promise mum its medicinal). But fundamentally, the game is being played daily.

"We Ball?"

The most interesting part about the whole situation is that it’s all spontaneous and random. And since it is in person and not on Lichess or Chess.com no one really knows their rating etc.

It’s just, "You beat me, maybe you should play over at Unit 20" or "You need to practice a bit more to play the folk at B1A." It is actually pretty cool and an awesome way to meet people. Knocking at random doors based on a rumour you heard the night before at 0100 in a half drunken state. Having to hunt down folk and figure out who the "mystical Sam" is.

This "Sam" is allegedly an IM who lives in the area and they turn up and wipes the board with everyone (shock) however no one seems to know them just the fact they exist and regularly play in the are. What makes it even worse is that I am also Sam so people assume I am looking for myself*. What makes it even more interesting is apparently the catchphrase they use - "We ball". Before every game that is what they say it also has become a running joke and is now the way that you ask anyone to play a game. "we ball?"

*Note to reader I would die a happy man if I could even break 2000 let alone be an IM

"The Plan"

Part of the joy of the community is that search and finding better people to play. Very much like Pokemon imagine the different Units as Gyms to beat however you get distracted and face randoms in between.

Nonetheless I was steadfast in my idea: "Project Chess".*

Now I admit I am not the best at marketing however I think I gave it the good college try.

I made a poster, printed said poster and even put the poster up in the local bar. I also posted it in a group chat with 200 people, and even got double-digit heart emojis on Facebook (I’m old, I know). I even had multiple people message me to ask for directions on how to get there. In my head, there was massive interest. I know people are flaky, but surely five people would show up?

Poster for reference below.

*Yes this based on "Project Mbappe" and I will find the next generational talent.

"If you build it, they will come" - Noah from the Bible

Now comparing myself to a man of biblical proportions definitely shows my egotistical side. However as discussed there is a thriving community in the area and people are keen to show up.

Cometh the day Cometh the hour we had...

***Drum roll please****

Zero people turn up.

What went wrong? I have a few theories, abut I'm handing the mic over to you. In a community that loves playing chess informally, how do I get them interested in something formal? Or would you rather 'We Ball'?