What Is The Chessidency In London?

Twice a month, The Standard Hotel’s Library Lounge in King’s Cross transforms into a captivating hybrid of chessboard and soundscape with the Chessidency—a relaxed, musical twist on traditional chess nights in London.

Launched by Donna Leake and Haseeb Iqbal, Chessidency brings together two of London’s most creative forces: expert DJs and chess enthusiasts.

Their instagram above is a great place to find updates.

They play vinyl—from deep jazz to ambient grooves—to accompany casual games, setting a mellow, relaxed atmosphere.

Entries are free and open to all skill levels, creating a welcoming space where beginners and seasoned players play together over drinks and records . The music isn’t just background—it’s curated to uplift concentration and elevate the experience. The setting is no different, the walk from Kings Cross Station into an astounding hotel bar filled with chess boards gives you a the immediate feeling that you picked the right plans for your evening.

Chessidency is part of a growing London trend in chess culture—late‑night, community‑driven events that inspire creative social life, fusing an evening in a beautiful quit bar in London with one of the oldest games on Earth. You can't help but feel the romantic vision embedded in the idea and it works perfectly well.

For me, I love London because of evenings like this, it's a fantastic example of everything that makes the city so fun.