Ashtead chess club

28/08/2025

Our sessions at The Leg over the summer have finished and we move to the new chess season, 2025-2026.

The junior club will be opening on Tuesday 23rd September at the APMH for the autumn term. As before, sessions run from 6:15 – 7:30pm in the Ralli Room. We aim for 11 weeks of coaching per term. The adult club starts the week before on 16th September with a handicap Blitz tournament starting soon after 7:30pm, finishing by 10pm. The handicap gives stronger players less clock time.

Junior subscriptions will be due for the Season 2025-2026 by Sunday 5 October. Junior subscriptions will be £20 for annual club membership plus £33 per term for coaching to be paid at the start of each term. If you are happy to pay club membership and all three terms in advance this is discounted to a total fee of £105.

If your child is planning to play chess in ECF graded events (which includes Surrey league events) you are advised that they should join the English Chess Federation. The first year’s membership is free for juniors who have never been members.

Anybody interested in playing chess is welcome to visit Ashtead Chess Club on Tuesday nights from 7.30 at Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall, Woodfield Lane, Ashtead, KT21 2BE (map).

07/08/2025

We’re excited to invite you to the Wey Valley, Surrey Christmas Rapid Play, a festive and competitive chess event for juniors, taking place at:

📍 Churcher’s College, Ramshill, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 4AS
📅 Sunday, 7th December 2025
🕙 10:00 AM Start | 6-Round ECF-Rated Swiss Tournament
🌐 ChessEntriesforAll.com

This event is a London Junior Chess Championships Qualifier and features four sections:

🏆 Tournament Sections:
MAJOR (U2000 ECF) – £200 Prize Fund! (U12–U18)
U12 (Incl. U11) – LJCC Qualifier
U10 (Incl. U9) – LJCC Qualifier
U8 (Incl. U7, U6, etc.) – LJCC Qualifier

💷 Entry Fees:
Major: £37 (£40 for Bronze/Non-ECF)
U12/U10/U8: £32 (£35 for Bronze/Non-ECF)

🎁 Prizes:
Major: £75 / £35 / £15 + Top Girl Prize (£75)*
U12/U10/U8: Trophy / Gold / Silver / Bronze Medals + Top Girl Trophy*
*Top Girl Prizes require a minimum of 4 girls per section. Adjustments apply if fewer enter.

🕰 Schedule:
Arrival: 09:30
Rounds: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00
Prize Giving: ~16:30
Time Control: 20 mins + 5 sec increment per move

📜 Important Notes:
No entries on the day.
Late entry fees apply after 4th December.
Live boards may be used in the Major section.
Photographs and live broadcasts may be used for promotion (opt-out available).
Parental supervision required for children under 14.
GDPR Notice: Personal data is used solely for event admin and chess-related updates.

📩 Register now at https://congress.org.uk/congress/636/home
📧 Questions or want to volunteer? Email: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there for a fantastic day of chess!

A Major section for U12-U18 with a rating up to 2000 ECF, with a prize fund of £200* and games will be played on liveboards and possibly broadcast live to the internet:

04/08/2025

We are continuing with weekly chess in the evenings in the rear garden of the Leg of Mutton and Cauliflower pub, close to APMH, until Tuesday 26th August. It is from 6:30pm. Do let us know if you intend coming! Thank you.

A date for your diary. We will start back at APMH on Tuesday 23rd September for the regular junior coaching. Check information in further posts.

21/07/2025

The V Mindsports International Festival 2025 (Super Swiss) will be taking place from 13th to 18th August 2025 at the London Mindsports Centre, 21 Dalling Road, London W6 0JD.

This FIDE-rated event is open to players with a FIDE Standard rating of 1800 or higher and will be played over 9 rounds using the Swiss system. The time control is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 15 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment from move one.

Chess-Results tournament details can be found here:
🔗 https://s1.chess-results.com/tnrWZ.aspx?lan=1&SNode=S0&tno=1151321

To register, please use the following registration form:
📝https://form.jotform.com/250984116760359
A detailed tournament description is also available at the registration link above.

Organisation Contact Details:

Coordinator: Lance – 📧 [email protected]
Organiser / Chief Arbiter / Accounts Manager / Visa Enquiries:
Jake Hung – 📧 [email protected]
WhatsApp: +44 7557 799616

Please click the link to complete this form.

18/06/2025

We are now meeting weekly on Tuesdays for games of chess in the rear garden of the Leg of Mutton and Cauliflower pub, close to APMH, from 6:30pm.

Everyone and anyone is welcome!

23/03/2025

The Spring term (11 weeks) completes next Tuesday 25th March. The Summer term will start immediately on the following Tuesday 1st April and run until the 10th June with only one evening closed, the 15th April. This is a 10 weeks term.

The 10th June is the date at which Ashtead chess club stops meeting at APMH for the summer which is why the Juniors also finish then. The club will reopen for the Juniors in September, date to be advised.

12/02/2025

The Junior club returns on Tuesday 25th February after the half term break.

09/02/2025

This coming Tuesday 11 February there will be a tournament.

The following 18 February is half-term with no Junior chess which will then resume on Tuesday 25th February.

06/02/2025

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new chess course designed to develop your child's strategic thinking and problem-solving skills! This course is suitable for any level from beginners to advanced players, providing an engaging and educational experience. Numbers permitting, we will have two chess coaches and split participants into two groups for a more tailored learning experience.

Our experienced instructors will guide students through the intricacies of chess, covering everything from basic moves to advanced strategies. There will be a friendly competition, and numbers permitting, prize money will be awarded to the top three participants in each group. Each group will have their own competition to ensure that all skill levels are appropriately challenged and rewarded.

We believe that chess is more than just a game; it is a tool that enhances cognitive abilities, concentration, and patience. By enrolling your child in this course, you are giving them an opportunity to grow intellectually while having fun in a supportive environment.

Details of the Chess Course
• Dates: Tuesday 18th to Thursday 20th February 2025 (three days)
• Times: Two sessions per day –
o Morning session: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
o Afternoon session: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Cost: £25 per session
• Venue: zoom.us
• Closing Date for Entries: Monday, 17th February 2025
• Contact:
mailto:[email protected]?subject=Holiday%20Chess%20Course

To complete the application form and make payment, please use the following link:
https://chessentriesforall.com/february-half-term-chess-course-2025-2/

'Win or Learn. One only loses a game if they do not learn.' Says EJBP

20/12/2024

Tom Barton will temporarily take over for the next couple of months with assistance from Peter. We had a successful 10 second buzzer tournament last Monday and the results table has been emailed to all.

Junior chess restarts on Tuesday 7 January,

Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings!