• Aston University student Gurkarnpreet “Karan” Singh and local entrepreneur Abdirahim Yasin Haji have co-founded “chesscafé”
• It is a vibrant social space that blends great coffee, social gaming and community engagement
• Inspired by similar spaces in London, Karan and Haji saw an opportunity to introduce something fresh to the local scene.

A new partnership between Aston University student Gurkarnpreet “Karan” Singh and local entrepreneur Abdirahim Yasin Haji is changing the way people connect in Birmingham. Together, they have co-founded “chesscafé”, a vibrant social space that blends great coffee, social gaming and community engagement.

What makes this partnership special is how it bridges different worlds. Karan, a final-year business enterprise development student at Aston University, has used his academic knowledge to bring the chesscafé vision to life, while Haji, an experienced barista and entrepreneur, provides the hospitality expertise that keeps customers coming back.

The duo met by chance through mutual friends in a coffee shop, where their casual conversation sparked an idea: Birmingham needed a space where people could play chess and socialise in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Inspired by similar spaces in London, Karan and Haji saw an opportunity to introduce something fresh to the local scene.

Karan said:

“chesscafé isn’t just a chess club, it’s about bringing people together, making new connections and having a great time. We have music, games, and an atmosphere that breaks the traditional stereotype of chess being a quiet, competitive game.”

Their success so far has been built on mutual trust and complementary skills. Karan has applied the knowledge from his Aston University course to handle marketing, business strategy and event planning. Meanwhile, Haji takes charge of customer experience, managing the café’s bar, crafting unique drinks, and making sure every event runs smoothly.

Haji said:

“We’re accountable to each other. When you work with someone who believes in your abilities, you don’t want to let them down. That’s why we’ve been able to turn this idea into reality.”

Since launching, chesscafé has welcomed more than 70 visitors per event, offering an engaging mix of chess, social games and even DJ nights. Looking ahead, the founders hope to secure a permanent venue, expand their community outreach and make chesscafé a household name in Birmingham’s social scene.

“The long-term vision is to have our own dedicated space, where people can come not just for chess, but for great coffee, live entertainment, and a sense of belonging,” said Karan.

Aimee Postle, BSc Business Enterprise Development programme director at Aston University, said:

“It’s fantastic to see our students’ ideas coming to life.

“With an innovative business model and a passion for bringing people together, Karan and Haji’s chesscafé is proving that the best ideas happen when different minds meet.”

In the short term, the pair are focusing on expanding their reach, hosting regular events and making every night better than the last. With chess becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing games, they believe now is the perfect time to bring a modern, social spin to an age-old pastime.

chesscafé’s next event will take place on 25 March 2025 from 17:30 - 20:30 hrs. For updates, upcoming events and to see what all the buzz is about, follow them on Instagram (@chesscafebrum).

“We do the best chess nights in Birmingham,” said Haji.