Meet Yus, The Leader of Chess Club at BeauBeaus Café, Ensuring London's Creative Communities Thrive
The ever-changing social landscape has exacerbated the need for third spaces: enter BeauBeaus Chess Club.
Image property of David Chen and BeauBeaus Art Club.
Third spaces represent a beacon of hope amidst this sea of homogeneity. These are physical locations and vibrant ecosystems where diverse individuals share ideas, experiences, and laughter. Third spaces offer a tangible sense of belonging and community. Within these sanctuaries of creativity and camaraderie, individuals find respite from the pressures of modern life.
Allow me to introduce Yus, a creative visionary and community leader whose passion for chess and fostering connections has led to the creation of BeauBeaus Chess Club, a vibrant third space in the heart of London. Yus—originally from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania—embarked on a journey to London three years ago, bringing a rich tapestry of experiences from Manchester and South Africa.
Inspired by his love for chess and his desire to cultivate genuine human interaction, Yus recognised the need for authentic third spaces where individuals could escape the monotony of daily life and find solace in spaces that nurture connection and creativity. In this interview, I'll delve into Yus' journey, explore the inception of Chess Club, and uncover the transformative power of chess to build a community in third spaces.
The Culture Crypt: Before we explore the fascinating intersection of third spaces and chess, please introduce yourself to our readers. Share a bit about who you are and what inspired you to start the chess club.
Yus: "Hi, my name is Yus. I'm from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and I moved to London about three years ago. Before that, I was in Manchester doing my master's, and just before that, I was in South Africa for about nine years. That's when I realised that I wanted to develop spaces for people to connect in a niche environment. I was doing this a little bit before I moved to London. I was into chess just before I came to London, too.
I used to play chess in high school and got back into it during the pandemic, but the idea of a traditional chess club wasn't appealing to me. Early in London, I went to a talk hosted by Jessica Madavo with Frank Lebon and Gabriel Moses on the panel. Frank and Gabriel mentioned how they would regularly visit this place called Reference Point, where they collected research for their projects. Everyone at the talk agreed in unison, so it was an exciting place to check out and see.
I started following the space on socials. Soon after, I saw a post regarding a chess club there. There were a lot of young people in the room. This was a middle ground between a chess club and a creative space with people my age with the same interests. Fast-forward two years, I now live in Aldgate East—and over the summer of 2023, BeauBeaus café opened up, so again, I was attracted to creative spaces where I can connect with people my age and foster community.
Of course, having visited Reference Point and discovered a newfound love of chess, I instantly thought I could start my own chess club here and build my community through that space. When BeauBeaus started, I spoke with Tallulah and Slawn and pitched the idea to them. They granted the concept with open arms."
How does the chess community embody the concept of "third spaces", providing a unique environment that bridges the gap between home and work or school?
"I think third spaces are really important, you know? No matter where you are in the world. Third spaces are a vital aspect of society; if we don't have them, there is a lack of interaction, leading to isolation. I think loneliness and depression stem from a lack of third spaces and community.
I've been in London for a few years now, and I've noticed how many people my age aren't drinking; there is a rise in anxiety and depression. People want to go out and make friends but find it hard because socialising usually happens in loud environments, parties, etc. The anxiety gets worse, and people don't even want to be there. There is a need to create these spaces, a need to socialise.
So many youth clubs are under threat. Third spaces give people a space to meet people and make friends. It brings something out of your mundane routine. Instead of just going to work and then back home, you feel more like an active member of society.
Through chess, we embody this concept by allowing people of all ages and walks of life to compete in the leagues and make music playlists every week. Every last Tuesday of the month, for example, we spotlight people competing in the leagues and people curating the playlists. A community is an ecosystem. Everyone within a community plays an active role in some shape or form, directly or indirectly and sustains that community."
Can you share a personal story or experience where chess served as a catalyst for building relationships and forming meaningful connections in a third space?
"A lot of friends I made when first moving to London, were from Reference Point, having that was a major catalyst for my meaningful idea for a third space for young people. Even now when I meet with friends for dinner, we play chess. It's become a big aspect of my life."
“The global appeal of chess serves as a unifying force—transcending cultural divides. As we continue to build our community, we envision a future where chess catalyses meaningful social change, empowering individuals from all walks of life.”
Please tell us about the unique integration of music into your chess club gatherings. How did mixing music with chess club nights come about, and how do people curate playlists throughout the evening to enhance the experience?
"It's awesome that we have this integration of music alongside chess! Everything that has happened has been an organic progression of time and community growth. It's so beautiful how they have all manifested. It's crazy to think that there wasn't an Instagram page, community playlist on Spotify, or WhatsApp page. Reference Point always had incredible music when the chess club was running. Music became another key factor that inspired me and would bring me back to the chess club.
A guy behind the bar usually controlled the music—he wasn't in one night, and I naturally took over connecting my music. That's when the idea came through: I could spice this up by choosing someone from the community to curate, too. I would look around the room and ask someone to take over the music.
After that, it just became a weekly thing. Then came the curated Spotify playlists with the curator's profile for each week, and we'd send them to the community chess club WhatsApp group for people to listen to. The response was so positive that this became another new addition to the chess club.
Then comes the last week of the month for chess club—we were introduced to DVD's (David Chen) sound system to play records. He came in saying I'd love to have my sound system here. This resulted in the formation of 'Last Tuesdays'... inviting someone to play some records and celebrate the past month of the chess club. This was all a result of highlighting and emphasising the importance of fostering community."
How do online chess platforms contribute to the sense of community and belonging within the chess community?
"Online platforms like chess.com have played a pivotal role in sustaining our community beyond physical borders. Group chats and league tables keep our members engaged and connected, fostering a sense of camaraderie that transcends geographical boundaries."
What makes a chess club a unique and enduring third space, and what lessons can we learn from its community-driven approach to fostering social connection and engagement?
"Chess embodies the principles of strategy, focus, and resilience—qualities essential for navigating life's challenges. By embracing chess within third spaces, we aim to foster belonging, connection, and resilience within our communities. Through collaboration with brands and a commitment to inclusivity, we strive to amplify the transformative power of chess on a broader scale.
As society grapples with the pervasive challenges of isolation and disconnection, the role of third spaces becomes increasingly pivotal. They serve as incubators of empathy, understanding, and resilience, nurturing the seeds of social change and collective well-being. In our relentless pursuit of progress and productivity, let us not overlook the importance of human connection. Let us cultivate spaces that celebrate diversity and ignite the flames of possibility."