Bath Junior Chess Club

Where young minds come to play, learn and grow.

Bath Junior Chess Club welcomes young players aged 6 to 18, from complete beginners learning their first moves to experienced players competing at a high level.

We make chess enjoyable, challenging and rewarding, helping children build their skills, grow in confidence and discover just how far their game can take them.

Welcome to Bath Junior Chess Club

Founded in Bath in 2010, Bath Junior Chess Club has been encouraging and developing young chess players for more than 15 years.

Whether your child has never played before, enjoys chess for fun or already competes in tournaments, they will find a friendly and supportive environment in which to develop their game.

Chess is much more than learning how to checkmate. It encourages concentration, patience, problem-solving, resilience and creative thinking. Most importantly, it gives children the opportunity to challenge themselves, make friends and enjoy playing.

What We Do

Tournaments & Competitions

We organise junior RapidPlay tournaments where young players can enjoy competitive chess in a friendly and welcoming environment. Our players also take part in competitions further afield, with many progressing through the UK Chess Challenge and qualifying for the Terafinals.

Chess in Schools

Through our work with Chess in Schools, we help introduce chess to children across the region, giving hundreds of pupils the opportunity to learn, play and develop their skills.

Elite Chess Club

For promising young players who are ready for an additional challenge, our invitation-only Elite Chess Club provides focused coaching and more advanced play to help them continue developing their game.

Community Chess

Chess has a wonderful ability to bring people together, whatever their age.

Our Chess Mates programme, run in partnership with Age UK, brought primary school children together with older members of the community. Eight-year-olds regularly sat across the chessboard from players aged between 82 and 94, sharing conversation, laughter and, of course, plenty of chess.

Proof that you are never too young, or too old, to enjoy the game.

Ready to Play?

Our next junior tournament is coming up soon.

Places are limited, so book early to secure your child’s place and join us for a great day of chess.