Sharjah Ladies Chess & Culture Club has staged the seventh edition of its “Chess & Coffee” community event, bringing the game out of a traditional tournament setting and into a public leisure venue.
The event was held at The Roots café in Kshishah Park, Sharjah, and attracted around 60 female players as well as families and other members of the community, according to WAM.
The concept combines casual chess with a social setting, giving experienced players and newcomers an opportunity to interact without the formal structure of a competitive championship.
Organisers said one of the main aims is to introduce chess to a wider audience and encourage more people to engage with the game.
The event also gave the club an opportunity to present its programmes and services and explain how it supports player development.
Najla Al Shamsi, Chairperson of Sharjah Ladies Chess & Culture Club, said the initiative is intended to showcase chess in a different environment and attract sections of the community that might not normally attend a tournament.
She said the club is continuing to organise activities that help build a wider chess culture and encourage new players and enthusiasts.
The format reflects a community-sports approach in which participation, accessibility and social interaction are given as much emphasis as competition.
For younger players and families, events in public venues can provide a lower-pressure introduction to chess before participants decide whether to join more structured training or tournaments.
At the end of the event, club Executive Director Amna Al Mulla recognised Laith Mahmoud, owner of The Roots café, for hosting and supporting the initiative.
The recognition also highlighted the role of private-sector partnerships in providing venues and wider public exposure for community sports programmes.
No tournament standings or competitive titles were announced as the central purpose of the event was participation and outreach.
The seventh edition adds to the club’s continuing effort to expand participation in women’s chess and make the game more visible within the wider Sharjah community.
