WARM UP FOR SATURDAY 13th September

A new season kicks off this Saturday, featuring both familiar and fresh faces eager to conquer the 64 squares. Letโ€™s get ready with a few questions and puzzles: Couple of puzzles to get you thinking:- Best move for White? Best move for Black? If you would like the answers to all the questions, please email me at graham7morris@gmail.com. Kindly let me know if you plan to attend on Saturday the 13th and your expected arrival Read more

Benefits of Playing Chess

A new term starts every Saturday morning from the 13th September 2025, held in the Ferndown Library from 10am until 12am, two 1 hour sessions for juniors 6yrs to 14yrs all skill levels welcome. Here are some great reasons why your child should learn to play chess:- Chess isnโ€™t just a gameโ€”itโ€™s a brain-boosting, character-building, globally beloved activity! Here are some of the most fascinating benefits of playing chess:- ๐Ÿง  Cognitive & Mental Benefits ๐Ÿง’ Read more

School’s Out – But keep playing Chess

Fancy some Summer Chess ? Here are a some alternatives to keep you ‘Sharpe’ during the summer break Lichess.org This site is free to all and you don’t have to register, play games against humans or computer, also there are loads of teaching/learning aids, a great site. NEW! – POOLE CHESS CLUB BEGINNERS’ BACCHUS CHESS TOURNAMENT -MONDAY 18TH AUGUST 2025 Poole Chess Club is inviting all new chess players to a friendly 10 minute chess Read more

Tournament at Bournemouth Library July 19th 2025

Two juniors from Ferndown Junior chess competed in this tournament and both walked away with prizes! A total of 26 juniors attended which was split into two sections, Major and Minor. Gagan and Eden were both entered in the Minor section, 5 rounds of 10min each on the clock. With so much going on around them in unfamiliar surroundings, neither seemed troubled by this and played some great chess. Gagan A fantastic achievement with 5 Read more

Saturday 12th July – Summer recess

Great turnout today with 12 juniors despite the really hot day, as this was the last Saturday morning until September, a bit of fun chess took part before prize giving and various presentations. First off a round of suicide chess, but first the rules for those who don’t know:- Suicide Chess Rules    The general ruleset follows: This was followed by a round of 960 chess, quickly followed by a round of Hand & Brain, Read more

Saturday 5th July – The A B C & D of Chess

On this penultimate day of Chess we had 12 juniors including newbies Luke and Alex who look to be good chess players in the making and hopefully they will return in September where they will learn much more. The Ladder competition has come to a conclusion as next week will be a relaxed fun day with presentations. Todays theme was a step back to basic opening principles which a few members still need to grasp. Read more

Midweek Quiz – Spotting Captures

This weeks quiz is the SAME for all members, you’ll need three coloured pens – Print out the sheet, put your name on it and when you’ve filled in your answers either email it or hand it in to me next Saturday. Closing date will be Saturday 5th July. Just follow the instructions below. Example White to move, the Rook can take the Bishop for FREE as it is unprotected, so GREEN arrow. If the Read more

Saturday 28th June – Draw or Stalemate

Great turnout today of 12 juniors, we welcome new beginner Jake who with Mum is learning from scratch, I hope he learnt enough today to encourage him to return in the future. On Thursday afternoon(2 – 4pm) we had 3 juniors and 5 adults enjoying some banter and chess in Ferndown Library. If you have the time, pop along, as a bonus the Library serve Tea, Coffee and biscuits all afternoon free of charge! Birthday Read more

Midweek Quiz for Ladder bonus points

A quick reminder of Ladder positions:- Quiz for Red Zone Players Question 1 – The Battery One point for all 3 correct answers:- a) What is meant by a ‘Battery’ in chess? b) Which pieces can form a Battery? c) Which pieces cannot form a Battery? Question 2 – Overworked Pieces One point for the correct answer:- Here the pawn on c2 is ‘overworked’ as it has to protect both Queen and Bishop. Black to Read more

Games of the Day

This first game was played between Constance and Anusas, yes, a few mistakes and oversights as to be expected, I have added my comments on certain moves throughout the game, it might help to run through it and try to avoid such mistakes in future. Remember, you can learn a lot from analysing your games, which is why it’s good to notate the moves. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> This second game was played between Advik and Gagan, a Read more