Chess in Dartford

Dartford & Swanley Chess Club meets on Thursday evenings at St Anselm’s RC Church on West Hill, and fields teams in the Kent county leagues.

What makes Dartford unusual — and particularly good for families — is Dartford Juniors, a dedicated junior club running the same night at the same venue. A parent can play a league game while a child gets proper junior coaching and competition in the next room; few clubs in the county offer that.

If Thursday doesn’t suit

• Gravesend — Tuesdays at the Waterloo Tavern.
• Sidcup — Wednesdays at Hurst Community Centre.
• Petts Wood & Orpington — Fridays, with its own junior session from 6:30pm.

The full county directory, with every club’s night and venue, is on Chess in Kent.

Juniors

Beyond the two Thursday clubs, Kent has a busy junior scene — school clubs, county tournaments and junior ratings are covered in Junior chess in Kent.