In a game like chess, where every move matters, sometimes the best one is simply showing up. That holds true for PubChess, a weekly meet-up of casual play at the Madison Avenue Pub, just steps from U of T. 

But how casual can chess really be? 

PubChess welcomes all skill levels. A typical meet-up includes a five-round tournament, lasting about an hour, followed by casual play between new friends. 

“The idea is by the end of the tournament, you’re playing people around your skill level, no matter what your skill level is… every time you win, your games get harder and every time you lose, your games get easier,” said Neil Goel, the current organizer of PubChess, in an interview with The Varsity.

This structure, combined with what some call a ‘beer-goggle factor,’ leads to unpredictable games and different tournament winners each week, despite a core group of regulars. PubChess hosts 60 to 80 players weekly, making it the perfect place to outdrink, outthink and outplay your opponents. 

The opening moves of PubChess 

Yelizaveta “Liza” Orlova, a retired player for the Canadian women’s chess team, holds the title of Women National Master and Woman Candidate Master. Now an author, content creator, and teacher, she founded PubChess in Toronto with chess coach Geordie Derraugh in 2015. 

Competing in Europe, Orlova enjoyed grabbing a drink after tournaments to discuss strategies and analyze games — but she noticed no such space existed back home. PubChess began at Central Pub before moving a month later to Madison Avenue Pub, where it has remained for the past 10 years, meeting at the same time every week for the past 10 years, barring a 2-year hiatus during the pandemic.

Over the years, PubChess has welcomed some of the biggest names in chess, including world number one Magnus Carlson, number two Hikaru Nakamura, and top chess content creator Levy Rozman. 

“[Hikaru] played a game with everyone — he stayed much longer than he said he was going to because lots of people wanted games with him”, said Goel.

Fostering a community 

But these memorable visits are not the only remarkable things PubChess has accomplished. Across the room, a language exchange program helps newcomers learn English. With its beginner-friendly and social atmosphere, PubChess has become a welcoming hub where language exchange participants connect, form new friendships, and sharpen their chess and language skills. 

“It’s lovely that people often who are relatively new to this country will come through, [attend] the language exchange, and then to the chess club — leaving with genuine, real friends who they can play with and hang out with on other days as well,” said Goel. “It’s one of those things where you don’t necessarily need to be able to communicate very well… Chess is kind of a universal language”.

In the end, it’s less about perfect play and more about making the right moves — on and off the board. 

The royal game 

Chess has gained popularity since COVID-19, driven by the release of shows like The Queen’s Gambit and a surge in chess app downloads. This resurgence has also reignited debates over whether chess should be classified as a sport. 

“It is controversial — some people believe [it is], and some don’t. I am kind of in the middle,” said Orlova. 

“Chess is very competitive, so it could be a sport… however people [dismiss it] because it is not physical… However, you do lose a ton of calories when playing.” She added, “The amount of water chess players drink during a six-hour game is insane… I don’t know what the logistics [are]… but the skinniest I have [ever] been is when I was playing competitive chess.” 

PubChess is part of a larger chess community in Toronto, with various clubs catering to different skill levels and interests. It encourages beginners to explore lessons at Annex Chess Club, Scarborough Chess Club, Etobicoke Chess Club, and Knightcap Chess Club. PubChess has also expanded to a second location — PubChess North — hosted at the Duke of York. 

Whether you’re looking to make a brilliant or questionable chess move, with a drink in hand, PubChess is ready for your next move.