Tunbridge Wells has been a chess town for well over a century. In the early 1900s the club helped bring major national events to the town, hosted masters from across Europe, and—more recently—has nurtured strong league teams and junior chess with visits from a local grandmaster.
Early Days & National Spotlight (1906–1908)
By 1906 Tunbridge Wells was already on the chess map, hosting the 8th Kent County Chess Association Tournament.
Two years later, in 1908, the British Chess Federation brought the British Chess Championship to Tunbridge Wells. Play was held in the Pump Room at The Pantiles, the historic promenade at the heart of the town. The local club’s honorary secretary R.H.S. Stevenson was a key organiser. Under his leadership the club kept permanent rooms at 50 Dudley Road, known locally as “the Academy.”
Champions that year were Henry Ernest Atkins (men’s) and Grace Curling (women’s).
Between the Wars: Masters Visit the Wells (1927)
Chess returned in style in April 1927 when the Kent County Chess Association staged a week-long congress in Royal Tunbridge Wells.
The masters section featured an exceptional line-up: George Thomas, Fred Yates, Edgard Colle, Eugène Znosko-Borovsky, and Richard Réti. This was a remarkable gathering of international players for a provincial English town, and a sign of the club’s standing at the time.
Where the Club Played
- 1900s: Permanent rooms at 50 Dudley Road (“the Academy”), purchased and furnished for chess by honorary secretary R.H.S. Stevenson.
- Today: Club nights run at the Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club, 40 London Road, TN1 1DL, just a short walk from the railway station. The venue also hosts county and congress chess events, such as recent Kent FIDE tournaments.
Notable People Connected with Tunbridge Wells Chess Club
Grandmaster John Emms — Based in nearby Hildenborough, John Emms earned the GM title in 1995 and tied for first in the 1997 British Championship. He has captained England at the Olympiad and authored many acclaimed books, including Simple Chess and The Ultimate Chess Puzzle Book.
Emms has played top board for Tunbridge Wells in the Kent League and has run popular simultaneous displays for local juniors at Salomons Estate. These events remain a highlight for young players, with some managing impressive draws against the grandmaster.
Tunbridge Wells, Chess & The Pantiles
The 1908 British Championship was staged in the Pump Room on The Pantiles, a location more usually associated with music, leisure, and the spa. Its staging of a national chess championship is one of the most distinctive moments in the town’s chess history.
Today and Tomorrow
Tunbridge Wells Chess Club continues to:
- Field teams in county and local leagues
- Welcome newcomers and juniors
- Partner with local venues for tournaments and exhibitions
If you are curious to try a club night, come along—you’ll find a friendly, competitive scene that stretches a long tradition into the present.