Café Gambit is an unusual place for the whole of Prague. Not only because its spirit and key idea is the royal game – chess – but also, or perhaps above all, because a community of like-minded people is constantly being created and expanded here.
How many times have you walked into a café, gallery, or attended a lecture on a topic that appeals to you, seen someone at a distant table playing a game that you would like to join or leading a discussion that you would also like to participate in… But you were left alone at your table? With us, you're not at risk! Gambit is a space where people actually MEET. Chess players will invite you to play and analyse together, musicians will appreciate your participation in regular jam sessions and discussion or gaming clubs always welcome new members. Plus, if you have an idea for your own event or club, the owner is always happy to welcome a new initiative.
New friendships and, rumor has it, loves are being made at Gambit. It is a space for the exchange of skills, ideas, passions, cultures and languages.
What we have for chess players:
⦁ The café's furnishings and decor – you can come and soak up the atmosphere of the royal game; throw yourself into lightning games on our chessboards and clocks or slowly study one of our books, from Dvorecky to opening guides to reading about the history of chess.
⦁ Regular chess meetings (every week on Wednesdays) where you'll meet (and beat?) new opponents. It's better than playing games over and over on the internet!
⦁ Tv coverage of major tournaments and chess events.
⦁ Chess parties and tournaments 18+.
⦁ Meetings, lectures and simulcasts with strong grandmasters (e.g. Anton Korobov and Robert Cvek have visited us)
And for those who are not so fond of chess:
⦁ jam sessions every Monday and a piano available every day – you can practice here!
⦁ Chamber jazz, classical, rock and alternative concerts.
⦁ Exhibitions by young Czech and international artists and an exhibition space – you are welcome to display your work!
⦁ Brave New Voices Poetry Open Mic every month – everyone is welcome to present their poems and meet new poets.
⦁ Board game club every Friday and board games available on site.
⦁ Other cultural, literary and artistic events.
⦁ An open friendly space where everyone can feel at home.
⦁ Good coffee, draft beer, homemade sodas and alcoholic beverages.
Want to know more about us? You can find out what we do on instagram @kavarnagambit and facebook @praguegambitcafe
Gambit is a one-woman project supported by friends, family, chess enthusiasts and a great staff of temporary workers.
Hello! My name is Dominika. I have just entered my fourth decade of life with a plan to make it the most beautiful one and one in which I contribute the most to the world around me. I come from Warsaw, Poland, but I fell in love with Prague as a child and living there and now co-creating it is a dream come true for me, as well as working (and co-creating!) the chess world here. I played chess actively as a teenager, but it has remained my greatest passion to this day. I would love to infect as many people as possible with this passion – and also provide a space for those who already share it with me to meet, get to know each other and grow. In a digitalised world, I deeply appreciate the value of face-to-face encounters, and I am glad that the place I have created allows adults from different countries and cultures to meet new acquaintances and friends with whom they share a common interests and values.
Besides chess, I am fascinated by philosophy, literature, art, music and culture in general. That's why Gambit is not just a chess café, but a place where all intellectuals and artists can share their knowledge and creativity.
Gambit is a new project that is still in development. We have been step by step gaining a regular clientele and new visitors who have grown to love our space, but it was a huge investment and the money is now running out. We have achieved what we needed to effectively get the business off the ground – finding a suitable space, equipping and decorating it to suit our needs and themes, creating a cohesive team of staff and a steady range of products to sell, and most importantly establishing a partnership with chess players, artists and musicians.
More than a typical café or bar, our space functions as a community centre, so in the future we plan to get grants to support culture, either from the City of Prague or Czech organisations; we are also looking for private investors and sponsors. But right now, for Gambit to survive, we need the support of YOU – the community we are creating and will create and develop. Your support will help us stabilize the situation, stop worrying about paying the rent for a while and focus on development.
What shall we add chess-wise?
⦁ We will increase cooperation with strong and well-known chess players and provide you with more meetings with grandmasters, international masters and personalities of the chess world.
⦁ We will hold regular training sessions with GM Robert Cvek and open lectures on chess topics.
⦁ We will introduce regular chess tournaments with prizes, and in the future hopefully official (FIDE) rapid and blitz tournaments.
⦁ We will organize educational exhibitions, events and workshops not only on the game of chess but also on related culture, history and art.
⦁ We will organize monthly themed parties celebrating the birthday of a famous chess player.
And others:
⦁ More music, better sound system – and therefore more well-known artists, more fun, relaxation, emotions and experiences!
⦁ More interesting and frequent exhibitions of contemporary art.
⦁ Providing space for non-profit initiatives such as discussion meetings, book clubs, etc. Some people visit us regularly, but we are happy to open the doors to new groups!
⦁ Themed and general speed dating evenings.
⦁ In time we will consider opening a cafe during the day as an ideal home office.
⦁ We'll make small adjustments to the space to make you even more comfortable with us.
