Fremantle Chess Community

In 2020 I was one of the first members of the newly formed Fremantle Chess Club (now Fremantle Chess Community). We'd play twice a week at pubs in our city. It was mostly men, with the community being a great way for blokes returning from the mines or visiting from overseas to connect with each other over a game. Then the Netflix series Queens Gambit was released and more women began attending.​ That was an exciting time for chess! The community grew beyond what we expected, gaining coverage in the news. People began to drive from over an hour away to attend.

 

With this growth, the original founder stepped back. I began promoting the community more widely, with a focus on backpackers, FIFO workers, and newcomers to the game. We even changed the name from 'Club' to 'Community' to be less intimidating. We organised an annual day of chess on the beach, with community members bringing pillows, blankets and fish and chips. These have become an annual highlight in Freo. Visitors to Fremantle have taken the model for the club home with them, with word being there is even a "Fremantle Chess Community" in London, with lighthouse t-shirts and all!

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Local business owners now reach out asking us to play at their venues to attract fresh faces and new regulars. In 2024, photographer Steven Nicholls invited us for a shoot to include in his book on people's passions (see below).