About Us

Tunbridge Wells Chess Club has been part of the town’s chess life for at least 120 years. The club was already active by 1906 and played a part in bringing the British Chess Championship to the Pantiles in 1908. Today, we meet every Monday evening at the Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club on London Road, welcoming players of all standards for friendly and competitive chess.

Our Club

We pride ourselves on being a friendly, community-focused club. Our members include juniors, adults, and seniors, and we aim to provide both social chess and competitive opportunities.

If you’re new and thinking of giving us a try, you’ll find details on how to join on our Join Us page. Newcomers are always welcome to drop by for a first visit.

Where our players come from

As well as Tunbridge Wells, members regularly travel from Southborough, Pembury, Hildenborough, Paddock Wood and Wadhurst.

See Chess in the Area for local options and travel notes, plus our Tonbridge page if you live in Tonbridge. For a county-wide roundup, visit Chess in Kent.

Club Officers

The club is run by dedicated volunteers who keep things running smoothly:

• President – Robert Jacobs
• Secretary – Tom Lawrie
• Treasurer – Hugh Tassell
• Safeguarding Officer – To be confirmed
• Webmaster – Andrew Rimmer

If you’d like to get in touch with any of the officers, please visit our Contact page.

Competitions

Each season we run our own Club Championship, played from October to May with one round per month. Games are played at a classical time control of 60 minutes plus 10 seconds increment, and it remains a highlight of our calendar.

You can also read more about our past and present activities on the History page.

Be Part of the Club

If you love chess — or are curious to learn — why not come along? Our members enjoy lively games, analysis, and good company.

Find out how to join on our Join Us page, or simply pop in one Monday evening and introduce yourself. We look forward to meeting you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question about joining or playing at Tunbridge Wells Chess Club? We’ve put together a dedicated Chess Club FAQ covering:

• When and where the club meets
• How to become a member
• ECF membership requirements
• Competitions we run
• Equipment provided
• And much more

👉 Check out the full Tunbridge Wells Chess Club FAQ for answers to common questions.