First-Ever Ladies (K)Night

Editor's note: guest writer Coach Astrid wrote the following piece about the first-ever Ladies (K)Night - enjoy!

Two years ago, we set out with a mission to build a more inclusive, vibrant space for girls in chess. What a journey it already has been. From launching our exclusive girls-only classes and organizing an international online match with our friends in Shanghai, to hosting our very own girls festival in Discovery Bay. Our girls-only teams swept board medals and finished fourth in a major mixed-teams event, while welcoming Candidate Master Coach Nomi alongside Woman Fide Master Coach Astrid has been fantastic for inspiring our Caissa Girls. 

Building on the success of our Caissa Girls, we wanted to take the next step. We realized that many of our students' mothers and women in the broader chess community didn't always have a dedicated space. On different occasions mothers expressed a desire to experience firsthand what their children are learning—from understanding better our class structure to discovering the magic of chess itself. We heard you loud and clear, and thus Ladies (K)Night was born.

The mission? To bring women together across all playing levels. Whether you are an experienced player or have no prior chess experience at all, everyone is welcome. Last Wednesday, October 7th, our very first ladies-focused chess evening came to life! Alongside many dedicated mothers of our students, we were honored to welcome special guests, including HKCCF FA arbiter Sandra Man Sze and local chess star WCM Jasmine Leung, fresh off representing Hong Kong at the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. 

The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with laughter, enthusiastic chatter and chess. The evening kicked off with casual chatting over drinks and snacks while our coaches happily answered questions. After some time, Jasmine and coach Nomi dove into some serious matches, while Coach Astrid led an engaging session tailored for the group. The participants watched a model game while exploring piece values and tactical concepts, learned about the classic helper checkmate and experienced firsthand how chess notation works. Let's just say they are now even prouder of their children after realizing just how tricky it can be! 

After all that hard work, it was time for some relaxing, fun mini-games. Many of our students know this format well from tournaments like My First Moves, but we decided to put a playful spin on it for the adults by introducing the famous "candy game"—using real candy instead

of the standard pawns! Let's just say it made capturing pieces a lot sweeter. 

As a coach, it was an absolute joy to connect with the incredible mothers behind our students, seeing firsthand the support systems that help our young players thrive. It was equally wonderful to welcome local women looking to explore a brand-new hobby or sharpen their competitive edge. Surrounded by such great company, it was a truly casual, cozy, and unforgettable evening.