Ben Rhodes invites all chess enthusiasts to the Peterborough Chess Club, a friendly community nestled in the Grantham Room at the Conservative Club on 77 Broadway. Meetings are held every Thursday from 18:30 to 23:00, excluding the first Thursday of each month. To make up for this, the club hosts a rapid play competition on the following Sunday from 18:00 to 22:00.
Ben ensures that members get the guidance they need, with dedicated tuition from 18:30 to 20:00 every Thursday. Formal sessions are available on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays, tailored to different skill levels. In December 2023 and January 2024, beginners can attend special refresher sessions.
Joining the Peterborough Chess Club means also becoming a member of the Conservative Club, with annual membership fees payable on 1 January. As of September 2023, the fee is £10 for adults and £5 for juniors, with pro-rated rates for mid-year joiners. New adult members should have connections within the club or be recognised by the committee through other chess activities.
The club isn't all about practice; competitions play a big part too. In 2023, Dennis Browning clinched the Silver Queen, Jimmy Blair took home the Cracknell Cup, and Wing Cheng won the Silver Knight. There’s plenty of action at the county level, with members like Paolo Ripardo and Gabriel Carver receiving accolades for their contributions and improvements.
Members can keep up with the diverse match calendar through Division 1 and Division 2 league updates, as well as Team 7000 North results. Although game records aren't stored in PGN, results are readily available on the League Management System (LMS).
For more details, reach out to Ben Rhodes at 07527 551650 or [email protected], or visit the club’s website at [email protected].