Big Rook Chess Academy (BRCA)

This one’s a more serious chess academy, although it comes with the benefits of a genuinely open-door club scene attached. BRCA Chess Club members meet every Sunday at 1pm and Wednesday at 4.30pm for game sessions and small rated tournaments – and walk-ins are welcome at both. Big Rook also runs after-work chess tournaments throughout the year, which do exactly what they say: give working adults a structured, social evening of chess without any of the stuffy chess-style formality.

The academy has become one of Thailand's most active chess organisations, partnering with the Thailand Chess Association to host international opens and running youth development programmes alongside adult sessions. 

Time Out tip: The Sunday afternoon club session is the most sociable entry point for newcomers. Single entry is B200.

Big Rook Chess Academy. 15 Pattanavet 11, Pridi Bhanomyong 26, Vadhana. B200. Club sessions Sun 1pm, Wed 4.30pm. bigrookchess.com