3/13/2024 – The Modern Gentlemen is the name of the joint project by musicians Matt Goss and Jason Kouchak. It revolves around the art of being a true gentleman in the modern world. For the two music lovers, chess is an essential part of this. | Photos: Julian Paix

11/8/2023 – Michael Gambon, known to many film and Harry Potter fans as Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster in the Harry Potter films, died at the end of September at the age of 82. Originally a theatre actor, Michael Gambon became interested in chess after appearing in Samuel Beckett's "Endgame" and played regularly with Jason Kouchak during a joint film project. Jason Kouchak bids farewell with a song.

8/11/2022 – The French composer and pianist Jason Kouchak is an enthusiastic amateur chess player with considerable playing strength. He has taken part in various Opens, including the Open in Gibraltar in 2009, where he met a famous contemporary.

7/27/2022 – The Queen of England celebrated her Platinum Jubilee this year: she has been Queen of England for 70 years. Musician Jason Kouchak took this event as an opportunity to celebrate chess and the “Queens of Chess”, together with his friend Pattie Boyd, who was muse and queen for both Eric Clapton and George Harrison.

3/8/2022 – Today is International Women's Day, also in chess. The first strong female chess champion was Vera Menchik. José Raul Capablanca, who died 80 years ago today, on 8 March 1942, was one of many strong players who respected her. Vera Menchik died 26 June 1944 during a German V-1 flying bomb attack on London during World War II. Now it's war again. "Love is more important than victory", says musician Jason Kouchak and is currently writing a musical about Vera Menchik.

1/4/2022 – On Christmas Day, the James Webb Telescope began its long journey into space, as it is expected to provide new insights into the early history of the universe. The infinite expanses have inspired many artists. Music, the stars and chess are magically connected — says Jason Kouchak. | Photo: “Starlight” by Julian Paix

11/4/2021 – At the end of October, the 139th "Varsity Match" Oxford vs Cambridge was played at the Royal Automobile Club in London. All in all, Cambridge is slightly ahead in matches, but this year Oxford won 5.5-2.5. The match was a real event, with dinner and music by the famous pianist, composer and chess fan Jason Kouchak. | Photo: Jason Kouchak and Victor Vasiesiu, captain of the Oxford team | Photo: John Saunders

8/3/2021 – In October 2010, on the initiative and with financial support of London-based French pianist, composer, singer-songwriter, and chess fan Jason Kouchak, a large chess set was installed in Holland Park in London. Recently, and with a long Corona-related delay, Kouchak celebrated the ten-year anniversary of this event with a few friends. It was not the only public celebration of chess in London this summer: In July, Trafalgar Square saw a big chess festival with references to Lewis Carroll, the author of Alice in Wonderland who was also a big chess fan. | Photos: Julian Paix (if not otherwise indicated)

2/14/2021 – Today is Valentine's Day, the day dedicated to romantic love. The French singer, actor and writer Serge Gainsbourg was a great romantic, and he was known for taking his mission in the name of love very seriously. His song "Je t'aime..." was quite explicit and censored in a number of countries. But Gainsbourg loved scandals - and chess, as well. | Photo: Serge Gainsbourg | Photo: Roger Kasparian

11/19/2020 – A journey in fantasy and harmony, that is the chess and music project "The Queen's Journey" by musician and chess lover Jason Kouchak. The main target group of the project are children, especially girls. The message is that chess is fun and helps you to develop your personality. Spice Girl Geri Halliwell supported the project. | Photo: Julian Paix

5/30/2020 – The famous French musician, pianist and composer Jason Kouchak is an avid chess fan. During the time of the Corona lockdown he spends his time playing chess or watching online tournaments. But actually he wanted to be at the Holland Park Chess event, to give a live chess performance with his friend, actress Helena Bonham Carter, as white queen.

6/26/2019 – The Norway Chess tournament ended not only with a Carlsen win but with music. At the prize giving ceremony Jason Kouchak and Juga di Primo showed off their grandmaster-class musical skills. Both musicians have dramatized chess motifs in their compositions and are great chess fans themselves.

11/26/2018 – One of the laudable goals of World Chess has been to attempt to forge ties between the chess community and the wider world by highlighting working creatives who are inspired by the game. Three chess fans who are eager to share their passion through their primary mode of expression have been among the guests in London over the past weeks: Pianist and composer Jason Kouchak, singer/songwriter Juga, and designer Daniel Weil. Each brings a unique musical style but shares a common aim — to generate excitement around the sport and reach new audiences.