English Chess Forum

Hi guys -- I am new to the board, and was hoping someone might kindly direct me to a regular blitz game in London. Frankly, I'm a bit shocked that there aren't more public venues for chess (they're all over the place in my native NYC).

Thanks for your help!

J.W.

Adam Raoof runs monthly tournaments: http://www.hendonchessclub.com/blitz/

I think our US friend means places where you can drop in for casual blitz. Long ago we had the Gambit (see separate thread) , in the 1970s Centymca in Endell Street, in the 1990s the King's Head. They have all gone as daily venues. There also used to be the Prompt Corner coffee house in Hampstead, but I have the impression that stopped some years ago. I assume that now there is nothing. If there is, I'd gladly give it a plug in my Evening Standard column.

John & Leonard,

Ifound some details of informal gatherings online at:
http://hollandparkchess.com/location_hours.htm

I had heard about the Cafe Nero venue before but have never been there. I gather sets are not provided, but the players take them along. Does anyone else know more?

Leonard Barden wrote:I think our US friend means places where you can drop in for casual blitz. Long ago we had the Gambit (see separate thread) , in the 1970s Centymca in Endell Street, in the 1990s the King's Head. They have all gone as daily venues.

The Wargrave Arms, in Marylebone, hosts blitz chess on Tuesdays. See http://www.khcc.org.uk/start2.shtml for further details, including directions.

There's always some beer and blitz going down at The Plough on Monday nights from 7-11.

The Kings Head do this at the Wargrave Arms ( details on www.khcc.co.uk ) most Tuesday evenings but you would be expected to join the club at some point.

John Wilmot wrote:Hi guys -- I am new to the board, and was hoping someone might kindly direct me to a regular blitz game in London. Frankly, I'm a bit shocked that there aren't more public venues for chess (they're all over the place in my native NYC).

Thanks for your help!

J.W.

Hi John,

Some years ago I was working in NYC very briefly over in WTC7. When I walked to my appartment I would pass through Zuccotti Park where there would be some tables set up and people playing for stakes.

I hadn't played in a long time but after walking through a couple of times I decided to play a few games. The games were usually 5min blitz and I got turned over pretty bad. It kinda fired me up to get back into playing chess. NYC really is a wonderful place it would be great to have a similar thing in London.

What kind of chess background or strength do those guys usually have ?

I asked this question on Facebook a while ago, and had some interesting replies;

Caffe Nero near High St Kensington tube where people play (sets & clocks were mentioned).
I think it's this one: 1 Wrights Lane, Kensington and Chelsea,  London,  W8 5RY

Cafe Forum 146 Gloucester Road - Blitz usually after 9pm every night. About 180 standard, can play for money

Capablanca Chess Club were at the restaurant La Piragua 176, Upper St, London, N1 1RG Tel: 020 7354 2843. The nearest tube and railways stations are Highbury & Islington and Angel.

Holland Park is definitely the most organised informal (not a club) chess venue in London that I can think of.

Thanks for all the responses, gents.

At the moment, I doesn't sound like there is a 'yes,' but it is nice to know that at least one or two places have weekly games.

It seems curious, given the number of pubs in this city, that not a SINGLE one has decided to try to appeal to the chess community (I guess we're seen as being a bit gruff and stingy).

If anyone is nearby -- I live by Notting Hill Gate, and am always up for a game (super bonus points if you know what BugHouse is).

Thanks again

Peter Rhodes wrote:
What kind of chess background or strength do those guys usually have ?

Hi Peter -- the profile is typically either that they are foreign, and have been playing since childhood, or they are border-line homeless, and have been playing for the last 2-7 years.

For the most part they are very strong at tactics, and understand the value of time very well (i.e., a more likely to make dubious moves that make you think than 'correct' moves that you anticipate). I would rate the average at about 1750-1800 blitz strength (though that's a USCF rating, so not sure it will do you much good).

Hope that helps


ps. nyc IS amazing

Leonard Barden wrote:I think our US friend means places where you can drop in for casual blitz. Long ago we had the Gambit (see separate thread) , in the 1970s Centymca in Endell Street, in the 1990s the King's Head. They have all gone as daily venues. There also used to be the Prompt Corner coffee house in Hampstead, but I have the impression that stopped some years ago. I assume that now there is nothing. If there is, I'd gladly give it a plug in my Evening Standard column.

Yes Leonard -- this is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm frankly shocked that in a city this large and diverse, no venue/club seems to exist. Will be sure to let everyone know if when/if I unearth one.

Thanks Adam -- The Forum sounds particularly promising (there is a chess club in NYC of the same name, but no apparent relation).

I am told casual chess is played daily in the Apostrophe in Baker Street but I have not been to confirm it