Press release
Beers by the Bay Chess & Social, in collaboration with local women’s social club Let’s Go Girls – San Diego, has announced the launch of a new women’s-only beginner chess class, designed as a fun, low-pressure way for women to explore chess in a social setting.
The first class will take place on Sunday, February 1 at 11:00 AM at Tavern in Pacific Beach, with a separate integrated beginner class open to all following at 1:00 PM. Both classes are one hour and will be offered monthly.
The women’s-only class is designed for women who are brand new to chess or just learning the basics. Participants must be 21 or older due to venue requirements. The inaugural session will be co-hosted by Julia Gale, co-founder of Beers by the Bay Chess & Social, with additional instructors rotating in future sessions.
Founded in 2024, Beers by the Bay Chess & Social has grown from casual games between friends into a weekly gathering that typically draws 70 to 100 people per night, blending chess, board games, and social connection. Recent events have reached 130 attendees, reflecting the club’s continued growth and momentum.
In a chess landscape where women-focused programming is typically limited to online clubs, youth initiatives or occasional events, Beers by the Bay Chess & Social operates San Diego’s only regularly scheduled, in-person women’s-only chess class for adult beginners, placing it among a very small number of comparable programs nationwide. Women make up a small minority of chess players nationwide, and in many local chess spaces, women are still largely absent, making the club’s new class a rare, proactive effort to change that dynamic at the community level.
Julia Gale, co-founder of Beers by the Bay Chess & Social, said:
For a lot of women, chess just hasn’t been on their radar as a social activity. We’re offering chess in a way that’s light, social and easy to jump into. It’s about learning, having fun and meeting people.
The women’s-only class will cover the fundamentals of chess, including how the pieces move and basic concepts of play, while emphasizing conversation, connection and guided play. The format reflects the club’s social, community-focused approach to chess.
The launch is being promoted in collaboration with Let’s Go Girls – San Diego, one of the city’s largest online communities for women, with more than 44,000 members on Facebook and over 11,000 followers on Instagram.
Founder Amanda Abruzzo said of the collaboration:
When we learned how underrepresented women are in chess, it felt important to be intentional about creating a space that actually feels welcoming. This partnership is about community first, a social, fun environment where women can come together, meet new people and try something new without pressure.
Photo: Let’s Go Girls – San Diego
Beers by the Bay Chess & Social has been featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune and Times of San Diego for its community-driven approach and has partnered with organizations including Chess.com.
Space for the class is limited. Tickets are $30 for a single class, with a discounted four-class package available for $90. Advanced registration is required.
For more information or to register, visit chessandsocial.com.
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