English Chess Forum

How many are there, and do they provide good competitive matches for junior players that are perhaps too good for their friends at school, but not quite ready to play in competitive matches of an adults chess club?

Judging by what Neill Cooper found and reported over the last year, not many. But in my experience of those that do exist, yes definitely. They can be very good in bridging the gap (ability-wise) between internal school clubs and adult chess clubs. I think they will probably prove to be one of the keys in bridging the gap in terms of continuance of chess playing by juniors as well.