A community junior chess and go club
Welcoming young people keen to explore and play these strategy games.
The club resumes for the autumn term on 11 September 2023.
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About the club
Junior chess and go club meetings
The club meets on Monday evenings during term time at The Settlement in Letchworth Garden City. Our junior section meets 5.30-6.30pm. This is for ages up to 11 (primary school age). Our intermediate section meets 6.30 - 8.00pm. This is for secondary school age or exceptionally for younger members who are very strong for their age. Our junior section is close to capacity so please contact us in advance to check whether we have any spaces available.
About chess
Chess is an ancient strategy game played between two players. The current form of the game emerged from a much older game of Indian origin dating back 1,500 years. Chess is played by millions of people around the world.
About go
The game of Go is one of the oldest strategy games in the world. It originated over 3,000 years ago in China and is extremely popular in the Far East. It continues to expand in popularity in Europe. As with chess, it is a game that rewards study and ability grows with the effort put into it.
Contact
- The Settlement, Nevells Road, Letchworth Garden City, UK
Team
Alison Bexfield
Club manager, chess coach and go coach
Alison set up and has been running the Letchworth Junior chess and go club for over ten years (with a break during the covid years). Alison is an experienced player at both chess and go. She also runs the UK's Junior Go Squad.
Tom Coates
Chess coach
Tom is an experienced chess player. He has run many previous chess clubs in schools in North Herts. Tom provides some of our whole group coaching sessions at the start of each meeting and individual tuition during the meetings.
Bill Thurl
Chess coach
Bill is an experienced chess player and has previously run chess clubs in schools. He provides some of our whole group teaching and also individual tuition to members during our meetings.
Future chess events
We list here some future chess events that may be of interest to our members.
The Chess in Schools and Community (CSC) grand prix
A series of one day rapid play events which offer the opportunity for juniors to play graded games against other juniors. Each event is six rounds. They are held at the UCL Academy, Adelaide Rd, London NW3 3AQ Closest tubes: Swiss Cottage (Jubilee) 3 min walk, Finchley Road.
Currently entry is free, but you must register in advance and once full entry will be closed. Different age group categories of U8, U10, U12, U14 and u18.
Future dates:
Website link: https://www.chessinschools.co.uk/csc-junior-grandprix
future go events
We list here future go events that may be of interest to our members.
UK Go Challenge finals - Sunday 15 October 2023
This event is played online on the OGS go server on 13x13 boards. First round at 14:00, end 18:00. Free entry. Titles competed in age groups for girls and boys from U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18. The event is run so that all are welcome - both experience players and novices. Experienced players will compete for the titles whilst novices will gain good tournament experience against other players new to the game.
British Youth Go Championship - Saturday 11 November 2023
This is the biggest youth go tournament in the year. Held in Leicester 9:30 - 17:00. Played on 19x19 boards with all welcome - with beginners and those new to the game able to play on 13x13 boards. The draw is broadly a McMahon system meaning for those not competing for the titles they are drawn against others of similar grade. Titles available for U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U18.
Mrs Bexfield is likely to be attending and can offer lifts to club members wishing to play.
