A chess club in Limassol does not have to begin with a tournament or a training programme. In this interview, published on 20 June 2024, Katerina joins Maxim at a beach meetup where the main purpose is to enjoy a game and meet people.
The conversation takes place at the club’s third meeting. It captures an early experiment, rather than confirming a programme still running on the same terms today.
Why Maxim started the club
Maxim says he has lived in Cyprus for almost ten years and played chess since childhood, but had not played face to face with anyone there. He had wanted to create a club, and chess gave him a starting point.
He is 21 at the time of the conversation. He does not describe himself as a professional player or tournament winner, nor as someone pursuing a grandmaster title. Enjoyment and company are the motivation.
A social club, not only a club for chess players
Maxim wants to bring different social circles together. People who normally do something else—he gives yoga as an example—can come along and play. Chess makes the meeting possible, but the atmosphere and shared enjoyment matter most to him.
Katerina had played as a child but says it has been around fifteen years since her last game. They try a quick game during the interview. The scene keeps the imperfect, informal quality of the meeting rather than presenting a lesson from a coach.
Why meet on the beach?
Being close to the sea is part of the attraction. Maxim has not yet arranged cooperation with cafes, although he mentions it as a possibility. Some local passers-by see the boards and join in; the club is not restricted to one language group.
Announcements were posted through Eventbrite and shared elsewhere. Katerina found the meeting through a repost by Oleg Reshetnikov. This gives the conversation a second theme: a small event can reach people through existing local channels.
Boards, timing and trying things out
They count five boards and an additional small spare. At the time of filming, the meetings were weekly on Tuesdays at 18:00, in different locations. They discuss how that time fits work and family routines, and the possibility of a joint event with another group.
Those are details of the 2024 experiment, not a current attendance instruction. Before travelling, check the latest announcement in the Limassol chess club Telegram group, linked in the video description.
Different languages, the same invitation
Near the end, Maxim invites people to come, play and suggest ways to develop the club. Greek, English and Russian are mentioned; the welcome is not limited to those languages. The story shows a shared activity creating contact without requiring a professional chess identity.
Frequently asked questions
Is the club presented as a professional chess school?
No. Maxim says the purpose is to bring people together and enjoy playing, rather than focus on professional competition or training.
Are the Tuesday 18:00 meetings still confirmed?
The interview describes that schedule in 2024. Check t.me/lschessclub for current announcements, locations and times before attending.