We have a large junior club and are always ready to welcome visitors and new members. Your first visit to the club is free of charge as a taster session.
The junior club starts at 6.30pm with discussion of a puzzle and a talk for early arrivals. Juniors can then play friendly games against others of similar age and ability, or join one of our tuition groups for intermediate or advanced players. Those at beginner level have an online group tuition session at 5.00pm via Zoom.
Juniors are players aged under 18 on 1 September at the start of the season. Juniors under 12 should be accompanied by an adult carer. The minimum age for membership is 5.
Juniors tournament
We have started an annual rapidplay tournament for juniors. This gives players some experience of playing under match conditions, using a chess clock and recording moves, so they can get an official rating which makes them eligible to play in team matches against other clubs. The time control is 30 minutes for each player, plus a 5 second increment for each move.
Occasional matches against other junior teams
We also organise in-person and online matches against other clubs with large junior sections. Each player plays once as white, once as black. The number of players is up to 20: the size of each team is determined by the size of the opponents’ club. Our opponents have included teams from St Olave’s, Tunbridge Wells, Wales and a visiting team from China. The time control is 10 minutes plus a 3 second increment per move.
ECF Development Pathway Junior Club
We have been officially recognised as a Junior Club in the ECF Development Pathway. There are currently only four such clubs in London and 17 in all of England. The ECF Development Pathway recognises a structured progression plan for junior chess players. We are working towards our Level 3 (Centre of Excellence) status which is for clubs “with an extensive junior chess training background”.
Parents’ comments
“My son had a great time and everyone at the club was very welcoming. He loved it and would love to join the chess club.” Sarah
“My son greatly enjoyed his first visit to the club last night. He had a wonderful time and very much appreciated the experience.” Ho Wing
“The boys are really enjoying being a part of this fantastic club.” Sakshi
“Just wanted to take the opportunity to say he absolutely loves Paul’s session. It is something he always looks forward to every Friday. Especially the wonderful stories Paul shared (e.g. the recent Trojan horse and Greeks bearing gifts) which made the chess session very enjoyable and lively. Thank you for organising this!” Hien
“Thanks very much for running the online sessions this year. Leo has thoroughly enjoyed them – they are a highlight of his week. Neither his mum nor I played chess growing up very much – and it’s been so exciting for us to see his independent interest in chess develop during your sessions and at the club. I can tell that he’s learning good skills – particularly to be slow and thoughtful, to embrace match losses and victories equally for the lessons they teach, and to practice good sportsmanship.” Dan
“My daughter really enjoyed the tuition session and has been talking about it a lot over the weekend. It seemed about right as she learned some new things, but she was quite smug when she thought that the other kids were proposing moves that to her seemed “really silly”. When we lived in Russia, her school picked her aged 4 for a chess program. In typically Russian style, she was put in a group of older kids that were excellent. As a result she does not know basic terminology, but plays with her gut.” Anna
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
For Beginners
Chess for Children by Murray Chandler and Helen Milligan
Chess for Kids by Michael Basman
Chess for Kids: How to Play and Win by Richard James
Winning Chess Strategy For Kids by Jeff Coakley
For Advanced Beginners
Chess Tactics for Kids by Murray Chandler
Chess Tactics Workbook by Al Woolum
How to Beat Your Dad at Chess by Murray Chandler
Learn Chess the Right Way by Susan Polgar (Series)
USEFUL LINKS
Some websites with information about junior chess: