What a start to 2025, we’ve now had 14 weeks and seen 23 different students pass through the door to learn and play chess, from 5 year olds upwards, beginners to intermediates, boys and girls. 8 juniors today and we welcome 3 new members, Anusas, Advik and Jack, I look forward to teaching them Chess in the new term after Easter. My thanks go to Ferndown Library for all their help and allowing me to Read more
Just 6 juniors today, well it’s Easter break and the sun’s shining, what more do kids want?? End of term certificates that’s what! Not quite end of term but just in case they can’t come next week, next Saturday the 12th, will be the last before Easter break, we will resume on the 26th April. Todays theme was something different, getting away from traditional openings, this was a brain teaser, Chess 960 or random chess. Read more
10 Students today including two newbies who came to ‘dip their toe in the water’ so to speak, let’s hope they learnt something and will be back soon. A good split with 5 in each hourly session and the main topic today was the Sicilian opening – Dragon variation. The muddy waters of the En Passant rule was explained in detail and a selection of puzzles regarding Pins, Forks and Double Attacks were mulled over, Read more
Only 8 juniors this week but manageable and all being well behaved. Happy Birthday greetings this week go to Jacob who’ll be 11yrs on the 26th and Gagan (who will not be with us next week) will be 6yrs on the 31st Queens Gambit – this weeks theme You won’t find ‘hanging’ pieces on the ceiling like Beth Harmon*, study the board in front of you and look for ‘hanging’ pieces (these are pieces you Read more
We welcome two new members today, Toshika and Louie, or chalk and cheese, as Toshika is new to the game whereas Louie proved to be a more experienced player, which is great for the club. The theme for the day was to get the idea home about thinking more about defence and what to do when being attacked. A simple method to help you defend your pieces when being attacked is the TRIP method, just Read more
On a warm sunny day we had 10 juniors eager to learn and play chess, we welcome another new member Ayan who may only be 6 yrs but has a strong appetite for the game, he should do well. Round Robin games were played with 10 mins each on the clock, others with a short time left before their hour was up, played some suicide chess, great fun, it does have a point to it, Read more
First session group enjoying a few games in the Round Robin competition with 10 minutes each on the clock. 12 juniors today on this the first day of spring and we welcome new member Michal to the club. Main topics today covered on the large demonstration board were the Stonewall Attack and the intricacies of the Opposition rule. The Stonewall Attack is a straightforward and versatile opening for white, ideal for players aiming to reach Read more
Still half term but 12 juniors turn up to enjoy some Saturday morning chess, we welcome two new starters, Archie and Lishanth who although new beginners, picked up the pace very quickly. Many thanks to our guest tutor Steve who travelled out from Bournemouth and took the new beginners through the basics. There were Puzzles for the more advanced players, concentrating on ‘winning advantages’ which covers tactics in ‘removing the guard’. The main storyline today Read more
A smaller gathering this week due to the half term, but those that came enjoyed a good session and some lively games kicking off the Round Robin competition. A warm welcome to our latest recruit Reyan, a very enthusiastic young player who insists on calling out “Checkmate!” when infact it’s only ‘check’, he’ll get the hang of it I’m sure, but great to see him here. Main topic this week was the ‘Windmill’ tactic, which Read more
11 Juniors today, Woop Woop, that’s a new record for our Ferndown Junior Chess Club, we welcome newbies Eden, Ethan and George and hope they all enjoyed their first visit and will do an ‘Arni’ – “I’ll be back”!. Anyone wishing to help with teaching would be very much appreciated as differing level skills within the group is becoming a problem with what to teach and to who. I want to give everyone who comes Read more