Charlton Chess Club, located in London at Mycenae House on Mycenae Road, welcomes players of all levels and ages. The club holds regular meetings on Monday evenings, with the junior club starting at 6:30pm and the main club running from 7:00pm to 10:30pm. There is no pressure to join immediately, as anyone can drop by for a friendly game.
For those interested in joining the club, the annual membership fee for the main club is 60, with discounted rates for seniors, students, the unwaged, and those under 18. There are no extra charges or fees for weekly attendance.
In addition to chess, Charlton Chess Club also welcomes players of similar board games such as Go, Draughts, Shogi, and Xiangqi. The club is known for its active participation in various leagues, with seven teams in the Kent League, one team in the London League, and four teams in the 4NCL Online League.
The club organises internal tournaments and occasional special events, providing opportunities for members to enhance their skills and enjoy competitive play. Junior members have access to a coaching class, which is priced at 5 per session during school term time, and does not require club membership.
Charlton Chess Club has earned recognition for its achievements and enthusiasm in chess, winning a 2023 BCET (British Chess Educational Trust) award. As a result, they have been awarded a beautiful wooden chess set, board, and clock, which are utilised in the junior club for practise and games.
The club also takes pride in its involvement in various external chess events. Members of the club have participated in the Hastings chess congress, held annually during the Christmas/New Year holiday period. Notable accomplishments include Oleg Verbytski's impressive performance in the Open tournament, with a significant increase in his rating. Geoff Bishop, another club member, excelled at the Intermediate tournament, earning him a joint winner title.
Charlton Chess Club recently mourned the loss of Jim Jackson, the club's former deputy chairman and a long-time member. Despite his illness, Jim remained dedicated to the club, even providing transportation to away matches in his black cab. His funeral was held on October 31st, 2023, with many club members in attendance to pay their respects.
Conor Murphy, a notable chess player, gave a captivating talk at Charlton Chess Club, discussing his victory over grandmaster Tabatabaei of Iran in the 2022 chess Olympiad. The event was well-received, with approximately twenty club members actively engaging in the discussion. Due to its success, the club plans to arrange similar talks in the future.
The club's website features a range of information, including news updates, fixture details, historical records, a game viewer, photo gallery, links, and a hit counter. Contact details are provided via email and telephone, with Tony Stebbings available for telephone enquiries at 020-8850-7866. The club's Twitter page, @charltonchess, offers additional opportunities for engagement and communication.
Charlton Chess Club is a vibrant and inclusive community that offers chess enthusiasts in London a welcoming environment to play, learn, and connect with fellow players.