Doing the 25 is all about getting out and making new connections by playing 25 different people. Along the way, you will learn so much about yourself and other people.

You can take your set out to public spaces such as a library, cafe or park to meet and play different people. It may lead to a brief moment of interaction, a different perspective to your own which makes you think or it may lead to a lifelong friendship – you won’t know until you try. 

At a time when our society has rarely been more disconnected, it has never been more important that we open ourselves to the possibility of interaction. If you’re not able to play face to face games then it’s always possible to play a game of 5asideCHESS on digital platforms such as zoom or over the phone and ‘do the 25’ that way. During Covid, some people had to self isolate for several months and they played 5asideCHESS with each other over the phone a couple of moves a night, with a game taking a few days. It gave them a reason to make contact each day.

With each new interaction you have, ask the person you played (or did a check-mate in two puzzle with) for their years of wisdom (age) and then for a pearl of wisdom – something they have learned in their journey through life so far that they are willing to share with you.

Once you have completed your 25 games and collected 25 pearls of wisdom you can apply for a 5asideCHESS Master medal which will be engraved with your name and the total number of the years of wisdom you have collected along the way. *

Download the 5asideCHESS master course via the link below and you can get started on your journey. You can purchase a personal cardboard 5asideCHESS set or a board bag set via our sister site www.cambridgechessforum.com

‘Doing the 25’ is a journey of connection and personal self discovery. The 5asideCHESS set is a simple tool to help people meet new people, to have meaningful encounters, broaden perspectives, find purpose, maintain and improve mental health and wellbeing and in the process, to help others and to help reconnect our society. The idea couldn’t be simpler and yet couldn’t be more important.

Learn how to be a super thinker – We also offer a guided mentoring programme using 5asideCHESS as the tool. Email us for more details.