Promoting social OTB chess

[David York]

I have started a website etc to encourage social chess players to meetup in and around Colchester UK. I'm also working towards having more public chess tables. I have already spoken to some others doing similar things in London and Reading/Oxford but there must be plenty of people wanting to do the same around the country. This is not just for established chess clubs but all those looking to grow the numbers of chess improvers who are not at a stage where they want to aim for formal ratings and league games. I'm keen to share experiences, so please reply and please chip in with your knowledge?

[Joey Stewart]

It feels like it is an aspect that clubs really need to focus on if they are to avoid a slow decline into death, as the majority of new players entering into the chess world now will be of the "social" or beginner variety but it is obviously quite challenging to get organisers as it requires experienced players to give up their time for free and get no chess of their own in return.

One very key point I've noticed with new players is ensuring the first few experiences are a positive one, as they are not yet invested in the club and can easily leave and never return at that stage.

[Paul Habershon]

For a few years Bedford's David Cox has made social chess available at the Pavilion Cafe in Bedford Park on Tuesday afternoons for a couple of hours. He brings along sets and clocks, though most players prefer not to use the clocks. No formal membership and no charge except the expectation that you buy refreshments from the cafe. A mix of Bedford Chess Club members and others attend. Numbers fairly steady at 6-10.’

[David York]

For a few years Bedford's David Cox has made social chess available at the Pavilion Cafe in Bedford Park on Tuesday afternoons for a couple of hours. He brings along sets and clocks, though most players prefer not to use the clocks. No formal membership and no charge except the expectation that you buy refreshments from the cafe. A mix of Bedford Chess Club members and others attend. Numbers fairly steady at 6-10.’

Thanks for the tip off. That's a good initiative. I looked at the cafe's Facebook and found regular adverts for the weekly chess. A bit light on information though, as the accompanying text says 'Grab your rooks and head to the park' - which implies take your own sets.

[David York]

It feels like it is an aspect that clubs really need to focus on if they are to avoid a slow decline into death, as the majority of new players entering into the chess world now will be of the "social" or beginner variety but it is obviously quite challenging to get organisers as it requires experienced players to give up their time for free and get no chess of their own in return.

One very key point I've noticed with new players is ensuring the first few experiences are a positive one, as they are not yet invested in the club and can easily leave and never return at that stage.

Absolutely agree about being vital to clubs but difficult to find organisers. Juniors can be brought on by setting up a junior section or club and the motivation for the experienced players is probably greatest when their own children become interested in chess. Great example in Colchester where a junior club is thriving! https://www.colchesterjrchess.org/

Also agree about ensuring the first few experiences are a positive one. I was at a club evening recently where four potential new members arrived and I felt really happy that I had been the first club member through the door that evening and so was well placed to give them an enthusiastic welcome and get them playing some chess. Turned out one had been playing social chess at the London Chess Community Thornhill Arms meetups, so he had come through to a club from social chess. That is why I am focussing on social chess. It is great on its own and as far as clubs are concerned it is a feeder, as the wider base that grass roots chess has, the more people will come through to club level.

[Paul Habershon]

For a few years Bedford's David Cox has made social chess available at the Pavilion Cafe in Bedford Park on Tuesday afternoons for a couple of hours. He brings along sets and clocks, though most players prefer not to use the clocks. No formal membership and no charge except the expectation that you buy refreshments from the cafe. A mix of Bedford Chess Club members and others attend. Numbers fairly steady at 6-10.’

Thanks for the tip off. That's a good initiative. I looked at the cafe's Facebook and found regular adverts for the weekly chess. A bit light on information though, as the accompanying text says 'Grab your rooks and head to the park' - which implies take your own sets.

I am not on Facebook and had no idea that the Bedford cafe was advertising chess so explicitly. I am glad it doesn't say 'Grab your castles...'

[David York]

Keen readers of the September 2024 edition of ECF ChessMoves will see (page 31) a feature on New Clubs. Although headed Colchester Chess Club, the actual name of the first featured club is E2-E4 Colchester Chess Club. After the article was written, the club entered three teams in the North Essex Chess League. Going from less than 8 to 80 members in one year demonstrates the power of social OTB chess activities!

E2-E4 is not the only new club in Colchester. Wivenhoe Family Chess Club launched over the summer holidays - using a community fun day as great publicity.

wivday.jpg

More info on all of these on the chess calendar at https://colchesster.org.uk/colchester-chess-calendar

[John Townsend]

In a higher age range, Wokingam U3A has a Social Chess section, which meets about twice a month. The membership has been growing recently, one pleasing aspect being the high proportion of female new members. Each session lasts two hours, and the format is dead simple: a casual game is played, without a clock, and the board is turned round if the game finishes early. A clock is usually available in case anyone wants a more serious game, but demand for that has been low.

I would be interested to learn whether U3A has many other Social Chess sections up and down the country.

[David York]

In Colchester, there is both a Colchester u3a and a Stanway u3a. Members have access to each other’s groups, subject to there being vacancies.

The Stanway u3a Chess Group is mixed ability. It was formed following a 2021 Introduction to Chess Short Course. The group meets at 9.30am on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month at the Stanway Community Centre with typically five boards in play. Each session costs £3 to cover the costs of venue and tea/coffees. Details at https://colchesster.org.uk/docs/the-sta ... ess-group/

The u3a players often turn up at social chess meetups and events and some have joined (and in one case have been very instrumental in growing) other clubs.

[David York]

In a higher age range, Wokingam U3A has a Social Chess section, which meets about twice a month. The membership has been growing recently, one pleasing aspect being the high proportion of female new members. Each session lasts two hours, and the format is dead simple: a casual game is played, without a clock, and the board is turned round if the game finishes early. A clock is usually available in case anyone wants a more serious game, but demand for that has been low.

I would be interested to learn whether U3A has many other Social Chess sections up and down the country.

I'm visiting Dorchester and have spotted that the local u3a has a social chess group that meets monthly. https://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/chess.html
The group has publicised some chess improvement resources and links to u3a chess network https://u3achessnetwork.org.uk/ an internet league setup.

[MJMcCready]

The advantage of what you are doing is that it reduces the fear factor in visiting a chess club. I have met more than a few over the years who were too scared to do such a thing, usually because they thought they werent good enough themselves.

[John Townsend]

It was interesting to read about the Dorchester activity and the links to the u3a chess network .

In our Wokingham U3A Social Chess section, the aspiration to join chess clubs is not much in evidence, although one or two already play some serious chess, and we have some good players.

In many cases, the members are simply indulging a fancy they have had for years to play chess, while some played at school and perhaps even played for their school team. Most, on joining, haven't played for many years, or, in some cases, have never played, and nearly all seem to enjoy the meetings ...

[Geoff Chandler]

We have taken to calling them 'Netflix Newbies' and go out of way to make them welcome. They seem to come in groups. No one new for a few weeks, then suddenly 5 or 6. (Netflix must be showing repeats I quip - or can you see Q.G. anytime on Netflix. I've no idea.)

Recently I played a newbie who had to be talked into staying fearing he was no good. We played, he was not too bad, I was winning but took my eye off the ball and made a right howler. I felt awful. Not about my move, I'm used to that, but I was thinking I bet this lad thinks I'm making fun of him or even giving him a chance. (I do not give chances on purpose, just stick around long enough and I'll drop a clanger)

I scrounged a draw and since then the lad has been up a few times, I think he has joined.

[Roland Kensdale]

(Netflix must be showing repeats I quip - or can you see Q.G. anytime on Netflix. I've no idea.)

Netflix you can view any of their offerings at any time. They do remove older or less popular items to make way for new ones very regularly. As this was made by themselves there are probably few costs in showing it

There is so much choice, and most of it from more recent years, it can be hard to find something really good (we pay for it for our adult kids). I usually watch iplayer or c4 on demand.

[Geoff Chandler]

Thanks Roland,

I just have normal TV. If there is something I want to watch I record it to watch later so I can scoot through the adverts and the mushy bits. (except of course any Bette Davis, she never gets scooted through, 'The Old Maid' best film ever.)

I'm out and about most days, at night I'm into talking books on CD. I listen to them in my wee study as I look for puzzles for the kids/blog or play over a pre-1990's game. I'll also play v a machine set on 15 seconds a move (I take long as I like) - retirement, it's all rock and roll.

Birthday tomorrow, 74. I've asked for another years sub of CHESS mag (I'll have to get them to do it as a talking book or a LARGE PRINT edition) and that 'A Complete Unknown' Bob Dylan DVD.

Back on track, new people. Yes I suppose it can very daunting first time. Once you get them playing they soon get over it. The trouble is I do not think many of them get over meeting me!