The Reform Club Chess Circle

 The Reform Club Chess Circle

Friendly chess in a relaxed setting.

Perhaps you played chess at school or university, really enjoyed it, but haven’t played for years? Or maybe you’ve thought of joining a chess club but find the prospect daunting?

The Reform Club Chess Circle may be just what you are looking for. We have a group of very amiable members, both regulars and occasional players, all of whom play chess first and foremost for pleasure and social interaction.

We offer opportunities to play chess both formally and informally. For those who would like to play competitively, we take part in the London Clubs’ Chess League, playing about 10 ‘cup’ matches and a similar number of ‘friendly’ ones against other London clubs, and also teams from clubs in Paris and Washington DC, each season. Every match is followed by a convivial dinner at the host club. We also field a team in the annual speed chess tournament organised by the RAC. There is a friendly internal individual tournament for two magnificent silver trophy cups first presented in the 1920s.

For those who prefer to play more informally, we organise an extremely lively and active social chess group of over 150 members drawn from 12+ London clubs. This social chess takes place every Tuesday evening throughout the year at the Reform, National Liberal Club or Lansdowne, and sometimes at one of the other participant clubs. The principal organiser of this social chess is Reform Club member Anne Abel Smith.

Members have varied ability and experience, and are good at making newcomers feel welcome and at ease. We have both regular and occasional players so every week the group of about 15–20 is slightly different in its make-up. There is no charge but by special arrangement guests from other clubs are allowed to buy their own drinks and food.

We also organise chess lessons, simultaneous displays, talks, and other activities from time to time.

Members are of course very welcome to take part in both the match programme and the social chess.

New recruits will be warmly welcomed!

If you would like to join the Chess Circle, or just to obtain further details, please contact Teddy Bourne: eobourne@gmail.com

For the Social Chess group, please contact Anne Abel Smith: anne@abelcommunication.net