Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

Lately, as I've gotten more and more serious about chess, I've become flustered by the lack of people with which to play. It's come to the point where I will drop my schoolwork mid-class in order to have a quick game with someone. This set off an idea in my head - why not start an afterschool chess club?

My idea is a once a week meet to discuss strategies, etc, as well as play. I know there are at least four or five other people who are interested, but don't want to undertake the burden of running it. As I'm quite stressed on time already, I am looking for advice: How would I get a club started, and from anyone else's experience what is the best way to go about convincing people to spend their time coming, and keeping people in attendance?

Thanks for the huge help chess.com community!

If you are starting a club in a school, you first need a teacher to serve as advisor and to secure space. The teacher does not need to play chess, but must be willing to advocate for students running a club that is beneficial.

Beware: many school chess clubs become gaming clubs. Even though chess is far and away better than any other game, it gets lost among the mass of games that are accessible to those unwilling to put forth effort to develop skill.

SSchowls,

Take a look at my profile and organization (clubchess.org) when you have time. I would be interested (over the summer, into fall, however long you need me) in coaching and mentoring you and your friend chess players at your school...in short, I'll run your club for you like a team coach as you desire. That's what I do! And, I can do it virtually.

Contact me accordingly and we can work through any details you would have questions about.

Ron/ClubChess.Org

No postage in a long time! My apologies guys, haven't visited the site in a while (though still playing chess!). Thanks for extending the offer Ron - I'll have to see who would be interested in the idea, though I'd expect membership to be around 10-15 people... perhaps you'll end up getting some contact from me fall '09!