Due to a double booking at the Social club, this event has been cancelled for now, hopefully a new date will be advised in a month or so. POOLE CHESS CLUB BEGINNERS TOURNAMENT – 12TH JANUARY 2026 On Monday 12th January Poole Chess Club is running a Beginners tournament which will start at 7pm. Anyone without a September grade is eligible to play, as is anyone graded under 1400 in the September grades. Money is being Read more
I sincerely hope that each and every one of you had a truly enjoyable and memorable Christmas. As we move forward, I am excited and optimistic about the opportunities and good times that this New Year will bring to all of us. Now is the traditional time of year when people make their New Year’s resolutions, setting goals and intentions for the months ahead. With that thought in mind, let me suggest just one meaningful Read more
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to each and every one of you! I truly hope that you are all feeling joyful and satisfied with the wonderful gifts that Father Christmas brought to you this year! When you are bored with you’re presents, take a look at this puzzle:- White to play and mate in 2
POOLE CHESS CLUB BEGINNERS TOURNAMENT – 12TH JANUARY 2026 On Monday 12th January Poole Chess Club is running a Beginners tournament which will start at 7pm. Anyone without a September grade is eligible to play, as is anyone graded under 1400 in the September grades. Money is being raised for the mental health charity Dorset Mind to highlight both the benefits of chess for mental health but also the importance of mental health awareness within our Read more
Only 7 juniors showed up today, but we still had a fantastic time with an exciting Knockout Final match, an engaging game of Chess Roulette, presents for every participant, and loads of fun throughout the event. Thanks to Jon Catchpole for coming along and viewing the fun. The Knockout Final Constance played an outstanding and impressive game, delivering a blinder and ultimately securing a well-deserved victory against Isaac. To be fair and give credit where Read more
A very exciting and lively Saturday morning unfolded once again, with 14 enthusiastic juniors eagerly taking part in a variety of fun and engaging games. In addition to the enjoyable activities, a crucial decider match in the Ladder competition added an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the event. At the end of the session, as some members will be away holidaying next week, certificates recognizing participation and achievement, along with unique and specially Read more
Fantastic turnout today with an impressive 18 juniors all eager and excited to participate in a lively chess session on this crisp and chilly first Saturday of Winter. The enthusiasm and energy in the room were truly remarkable as the young players gathered to sharpen their skills and enjoy the strategic game of chess together. A warm and heartfelt welcome is extended to a young yet remarkably engaging lad named Sammy, who showed several encouraging Read more
There were 12 juniors present today on this final Saturday of November. With only three more Saturdays remaining before Christmas arrives, everyone is eagerly anticipating the upcoming holiday break. A warm welcome to new starter Oscar, I hope he enjoyed his day and learnt something. Before that, we need to complete both the Knockout and Ladder competitions in their entirety. This will allow us to organize and hold a prize-giving presentation on the 20th of Read more
Fourteen enthusiastic juniors bravely faced the chilly weather to enjoy a lively Saturday morning chess session. It was wonderful to see familiar faces like Austin, Lishanth, and Arthur return after taking a short break. Their presence was truly appreciated and added to the positive atmosphere of the morning. Ladder games were the order of the day with just a few weeks left to decide the final winner. Two of the juniors really enjoyed playing their Read more
Five questions, each one based on previous topics worth 2 points each. Question 1 – Opening Principles Both sides have developed their pieces, it’s White to move, what should be the next move and why? Question 2 – Pawn structure White has a bad pawn structure, four pawn islands of doubled pawns, triple pawns and isolated pawns, but what compensation would you say White has in this position if any? Question 3 – The Fork Read more