Wells Chess Club

04/09/2026

Wells Junior Chess Club starts the Autumn Term:
9th Sep – 16sh Dec 2026
All children familiar with the rules of chess are welcome.
❗️
Group sessions: Every Wednesday
· 5:30 - 5:30 – Session 1: Novice and Intermediate Scholastic Level
· 6:30 – 7:30 – Session 2: Competitive Players
👍
Venue: The Portway Annexe (Portway Ave, Wells BA5 2QF), the Dodd Room.
👍
Fee: £55 per term (13 sessions) or £7 per single session; for siblings – a discount of 25% is available.
👍
Coach: Sasha Matlak
National Chess Master of England and Ukraine, DBS-Certified Tutor.
· Two-time Champion of Somerset (2023, 2024)
· West of England Chess Champion (Bristol, 2024)
· Chess Coach of National Level by the English Chess Federation
❗️
Skilled students are expected to play in junior chess tournaments regularly.
If you are interested, please fill out the application form:
https://forms.gle/UrgcExc321uToPYQ6

11/08/2026

A fun summer blitz event!

Ready to put your chess skills to the test at speed? Join us for a fast, fun evening of Blitz Chess, hosted by Alex!
📅 This Wednesday
⏰ 7:15 PM
♟️ Blitz format
🏖️ Summer vibes
⚡ Speedy effects. Serious fun.
New players are always welcome — come along, grab a clock, and get your moves in before the time runs out!

13/05/2026

Happy retirement to Len

08/02/2026

We are keen to support women and girls in chess, and what better way to celebrate than to have our Chess Congress on International Women's Day?!
Through links and collaborations with groups and educators such as , , , we hope to encourage more female participation, starting at grass roots level, and to see greater representation in clubs, at events and tournaments.

As such we are delighted to be able to offer a £10 discount on entry fees to the first 12 females who book their place at the Congress, plus an additional £280 prize pot specifically for women and girls.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Congress.
Follow the link in bio - www.wellschess.co.uk

(Chess photos from previous Congress, courtesy of Christopher Lamming)

08/02/2026

Chess as education, how refreshing

THIS COUNTRY MADE CHESS HOMEWORK♟️

In Armenia, chess isn’t just a game, it’s a school subject. Since 2011, every primary school student learns chess as part of the national curriculum.

Kids study openings, strategy, and problem-solving in the classroom, with trained teachers and real evaluations. The goal? Sharper thinking, better focus, and smarter decision-making.

It’s no coincidence that this small country keeps producing world-class grandmasters. Armenia turned chess into education, and education into a winning culture.

♟️ Not just a game. A way of thinking.

08/02/2026

Fantastic day! Well done to all those involved!

Chess-Results.com is a powerful and dedicated server only for chess-results. The tournament archive of chess-results.com contains more than 40.000 tournaments from around the world.

08/02/2026

♟️ Just one week to go until the Isle of Wight Chess Tournament arrives in Ryde.

The festival will welcome over 300 players, with 110 competing in the Masters section alone. It is one of the strongest chess tournaments in the country and by far the strongest ever held on the Isle of Wight.

The Masters field features players from over 30 countries, led by GM Gawain Maroroa Jones, multiple-time British Champion, alongside a deep line-up of elite challengers.

Local residents are warmly invited to be part of the week. You can watch the games live with a spectator ticket at Ryde School, or drop into our free daily chess sessions at Yelf’s Hotel.

♟️ Free casual chess at Yelf’s Hotel
📅 Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 February
⏰ 1.00pm to 3.00pm and from 7.00pm

Come along to play, watch, learn, and meet some of the Masters. Everyone is welcome.

More details at iowchess.com

08/02/2026

The countdown is on to the annual Wells Chess Congress! We've got GMs, IMs and CMs, gentlemen, ladies and juniors, all
A warm welcome and wonderful weekend in Wells awaits!
Make your first move and book your place. Go to www.wellschess.co.uk
(late entry fee applies from 1st March)