23 October

Tonight we looked at discovered check and then did some simple "is it checkmate" scenarios on the demo board.

We then did some one move checkmate puzzles and played lots of friendly games

16 October

Tonight we looked at using the "Decoy" tactic to either move an opponents piece or put it in a position where it can be captured.

This lesson can be found in the Tuition part of the website....

4 September

Tonight we looked at the first few moves of the game.   Pawns, Knights, Bishops.  A common mistake with beginners is just moving pawns and not developing the knights and bishops.

We then looked at some simple one move checkmates which showed the importance of pieces working together.

28 August

Busy week this week and a couple of new players joined.

We had some friendly games and then I showed a very tricky 2 move checkmate puzzle on the demo board.

This was to demonstrate that you must think more than one more ahead and try and anticipate what your opponents move will be (or has to be).  The group then worked together on the handout puzzles to find the checkmates.

14 August

This week we welcomed a couple of new players.

We played a few friendly games then looked at "Forks" and how they can be used.    This was followed up by some puzzles on forks.

We finished off the evening with a quick game of "hands and brains"

10 July

Tonight we had a few friendly games and then completed a couple of puzzles on "Check" and how to check safely (without loosing a piece) and how to stop a check (Capture, Block, Move)

We then all rushed home for the second half of the Netherlands v England game....

Last few weeks

Afraid I was on holiday for a couple of weeks then at a concert in London this week - back to normal on the 10th...

29 May

Tonight we looked at some of the "rules & "etiquette" when playing games in a more serious setting than our beginners group:

• Shake hands with your opponent before the start of the game and at the end
• No talking
• No commenting on other peoples games
• Touch-it-move-it
• Setup the board at the end of the game

After trying these "rules" for 20 mins we then had a break for snack and did a "Chess & Paw Patrol" Wordsearch - requested the previous week :-)



24 April

This week we looked at a tricky puzzle that Mr Hardy had posted on the clubs Instagram page.   It consisted of a 2 move checkmate involving sacrificing your Queen.   

The lessons we learnt were to:

• Look at what your opponent is trying to achieve with their moves.
• Look at which of your pieces are working together
• Sometimes you need to force your opponent into a move
• Not to rush your moves - sit on your hands and look at the board - is there a better move?

With a little help we solved the problem

17 April

Beginners always look at the clocks being used in the other groups and always want to have a go.  So, we explained what clocks were used for, how to use them and the types of games you can play using them.  We then set the clocks to 15m +10s which was more than enough time for our young players to have a good long game.   As usual it appeared to be a race to see how quickly they could play the game with everyone ending up with more time on the clock than when they started.   We then played a further game and everyone slowed down and realised that 15mins is quite a long time at their level !

3 April

Tonight, we learned about a powerful way to checkmate our opponent using not just one, but two rooks! It's like having a dynamic duo working together to corner the opponent's king.

We discussed how to coordinate the movements of our rooks to control key squares and trap the opponent's king. By working together, the rooks become a formidable force, making it nearly impossible for the opponent to escape checkmate.

Through practice and analysis, we explored different scenarios and strategies for executing this checkmate pattern effectively.

20 March

Tonight we did a refresh of some of the tactics and skills we have looked at over the last few weeks, pins, forks, castling, notation etc.

We then did a Wordsearch to try and find those terms.... 

13 March

Tonight we looked at recording your game - Notation and the importance in being able to look back and replay your game.

Lots of friendly games played with a few players trying out notating their game.

6 March

Tonight we split the group into 2 and played a game on the board with each person taking turns with a move.  Looking at which were good moves and some of the beginning principles - try and control the super squares, don't move the same piece twice in the opening first moves etc

Then, lots of games played.

28 February

Tonight, we explored a sneaky tactic in chess called "Discovered Check" to gain an advantage in material. It's like uncovering a surprise attack where one piece moves, revealing another piece's threat on the opponent's king. We discussed how powerful this tactic can be for capturing the opponent's pieces or even winning the game!

To reinforce our learning, we tackled some puzzles that put our newfound Discovered Check skills to the test. These puzzles challenged us to spot opportunities to unleash this clever tactic and outsmart our opponents

21 February

This week we looked at pieces that are Attacked, Defended, Threatened and looked at the difference between these situations.

7 February

Following last week where we looked at Pins this week we looked at Forks.

We then merged with Pauls group and he ran through a game of his in a league match....lots of pins and forks were used in the game reinforcing the lessons.

31 January

Tonight we looked at finding "Pins"

Usually, the pinned piece blocks an attack to a more valuable piece, but it could also protect a key defender of the position or even impede a checkmate.

Following the demonstration we did puzzles to re-inforce the learning.

17 January 2024

Tonight, we learned about an important chess move called "castling." Castling is like a special dance for the king and one of the rooks. It's a cool move that helps keep the king safe and brings a rook into play.

We talked about why castling is so important. It's not just about protecting the king; it's also about helping the pieces work together better. Imagine it like giving your team a superpower to stay strong and organized on the chessboard!

We also chatted about the rules of castling, making sure everyone knows when and how to do this special move. Learning about castling is like discovering a secret weapon in chess that can make us better players. It was a fun lesson full of exciting chess secrets!

We followed this with some puzzles about castling to reinforce the lesson

3 January 2024



Tonight we looked at Pins and how you can use them to gain material - a few puzzles to reinforce the idea.

The, onto a game of "Hands and Brains"

13 December

Nice relaxed evening playing a few friendly games, a quick Festive themed chess wordsearch and then some "hands and brains" chess...

6 December

Tonight was a quiet night with only a handful of children, but, we still played lots of friendly games and looked at a puzzle "Checkmate in One"

8 November

In tonight's chess lesson, we focused on two powerful tactical motifs: Forks and Pins. We began with an explanation of what Forks and Pins are and why they hold such significance in a game.

Forks involve attacking two pieces simultaneously, putting your opponent in a tough spot where they have to choose which piece to save, often leading to a material advantage.

On the other hand, Pins involve immobilizing an opponent's piece, creating an opportunity to exploit their position.

We then practiced this with some puzzles.  Puzzles are an excellent way to reinforce knowledge and enhance pattern recognition, crucial skills for any chess player.

To cap off the evening, friendly games were played. 

1 November

Tonight we did a puzzle (below) to determine whether it is checkmate or not - Black to move...

We then looked at how to checkmate with 2 Rooks and a King vs a King - with each person in the group taking a turn.

Then, lots of good games played.

25 October

This week we started with a bit of fun and did a Chess Word Search (you can download it below).  We then played a few games before looking at Scholars Mate and how to defend against it.

18 October 2023

A good turnout over the last couple of weeks.

The group continues to improve with their chess and we have done puzzles, how to checkmate, more puzzles, how to Castle and the importance of the central squares.

9 August

Tonight we had lots of friendly games and a few of our younger players practiced with a strange game just using the pawns.   The puzzle below was then used to show how important the little old slow pawn can be... White to move and get themselves out of a sticky situation.

2 August 2023

4 new players joined the group tonight for a few games.

We then went through Notation and the importance of recording your games.

26 July 2023

Groups were merged again this week and we look at the Evolution of the Chess Player....interesting stuff and a good "puzzle" - head over to Pauls page to have a look.

19 July 2023

Due to lack of space with a league match taking place both mine and Pauls group combined.  Paul ran through an interesting game from the weekends competition where White was on top but a few loose moves brought Black back into the game.

Have a look on Pauls page for the details....

5 July 2023

Full house tonight in the group.  Lots of games played before we looked at the puzzle below where Magnus Carlsen sacrificed his Queen to win the game.

28 June

Tonight we played lots of games and had a look at the puzzle below (White to Mate in 2).  Working together the group managed to solve it - well done.

21 June

A couple of new members tonight so just lots of friendly games to judge skill levels.   Back to normal next week with puzzles and coaching...

14 June

Quiet evening probably due to the weather being glorious and people spending time at home (or the BBQ), but couple of new members and plenty of games played.

24 May 2023

This week we looked at some puzzles which tested how many different way there were of taking a piece.

The coaching then tried to reinforce looking at what your opponent is trying to do rather than just concentrating on your own moves...

17 May 2023

This week we had a few friendly games and then looked at a puzzle to re-inforce the movement possibilities of each of the pieces...

10 May 2023

This week we played friendly games as normal but first we did some puzzles to ensure the board is setup correctly before we even move a piece.   

3 May 2023

Tonight we played a couple of friendly games and then looked at Skewers reinforced with a puzzle sheet.

We also looked at checkmate with a Queen and King....proved tricky...

19 April 2023

Now things are a bit more back to normal with David back from his holiday the beginners group ran again.

This week there were a couple of new members and we had a few friendly games to judge strengths.

We then had a look at some checkmate puzzles and how to castle.

18 January 2023

A couple of new members this week.

We played some chess and then looked at Decoy tactics - Lesson 18 in our Tuition section - HERE

4 January 2023

After a few weeks of merriment over Christmas back to the beginners group.

Seems like a slow start for 2023 with the juniors as only a handful this week but we had a few friendly games and looked at Castling and when you should (and can/cannot) castle.

30 November 2022

Tonight we looked at Pins, Skewers and Forks, played some games and ended the evening with "Hands and Brains"

16 November 2022

Tonight we looked at some "Pin" puzzles and then a couple of tactics on how to remove defended squares or pieces.

We then had a few games using clocks...some lessons to be learned on not panicking when seeing your time tick down....

9 November 2022

Tonight we started by doing some puzzles and then looked at Scholars Mate and how to defend against it.

2 November 2022

This week we started by splitting the group into 2 and then playing a game on the demonstration board with each team member taking a move in turn.

26 October 2022

This week the group started with some Checkmate in One puzzles and we then looked at chess notation and why we record our games.  Everyone was given a handout explaining how it all works and some notation sheets to practice with.  How to notate can be found on the website here.

19 October 2022

The club is back to 3 groups and this page will be used for the Beginners Group.

This week we did a couple of puzzles on finding the best move - a bit tricky and heads were scratched - but everyone did well.

Then, onto playing some games.   Now the group is "settled" we will re-introduce the more formal structure of puzzles, coaching, playing.

30 March 2022

No coaching group this week due to playing against Bury 1 in the first over the board match for 2 years. 

My group joined David's group in the main hall.

23 March 2022

A few new members this week in both Jacks group and the beginners.  Nothing too strenuous this week with friendly games being played and Jack assessing the strengths of the players and giving individual guidance.

2 March 2022

A while since there was an update.  Over the last couple of weeks the group have been playing games using competition rules, clocks, notation, silence!

This week the group looked at the Kings Gambit opening and once this had been run through the players started their games from this position/opening....

2 February 2022

This week we looked at one of the games from last week.  The Group then started a small friendly competition which will run over the next few weeks.  This was held using clocks, notation and the general rules of competition, silence, touch move etc.

26 January 2022

The Group did a few tactics puzzles in the main hall while we were waiting for "Zumba" to finish so we could setup the room.

We then looked at playing games under competition conditions - notation, silence, touch move etc - with the intention of continuing this over the next couple of weeks in a small friendly competition with the addition of clocks.  This will also enable the games to be analysed via the notations to be looked at in future sessions for learning points.

12 January 2022

Last night we looked at the Kings Indian opening and then everyone played from this unfamiliar starting position challenging the players to look at the plans for both Black and White.

5 January 2022

The beginners this week started with a simple puzzle to get the brains warmed up after the Christmas break - White to move.

The room was then split into 2 "teams" to play a game on the demonstration board.  Each team discussing and agreeing the next best move.   Some interesting discussions were had on tactics.

After the break we got back to playing...

15th December 2021

No Group this week but the beginners group were shown a couple of games with an overactive Queen - the "Scholars Mate" or a version of the Scandinavian opening

The games shown were from those played in the club vs Jack.

The "tricks" used were found to work with players who were not aware of the tactics but when played against a stronger player resulted in either losing the game or losing the Queen within a handful of moves.

Lesson learnt - don't bring your Queen out too early as you might lose it - or the game.

8th December 2021

This week we looked at the end game, King and Pawns, and the importance of using the King.

Following this Jack played a Simul to assess each player and then give individual advice on the game(s)

24 November 2021

No Group this week as Jack was ill but Pete took the beginners Group - all just a temporary change around.

The beginners group looked at how to do checkmate with a Queen and Rook or 2 Rooks.   We also looked at how to avoid a stalemate which has occurred a few times within the group.

10 November 2021

Tonight we started with a distraction puzzle (white to move, leading to checkmate) - left diagram.

We also looked at the unusual and very aggressive "Traxler" which can be used against the "Fried Liver" - video below.

3 November 2021

This week we looked at a game played in the group where White had a strong position and blundered (RE7-RE8)  rather than hoovering up some free pawns on the 7th

A couple of puzzles were also discussed (below)

Some games from the group to look at...these are just a text file so you can print and play...

13 October 2021

• In this weeks session a couple of games were analysed from last week and a couple of learning points raised.
• Don't just play the opening moves without thinking about what your opponent is doing - you may will have to react to their moves.
• If there is a free piece on offer - take it (assuming it is safe!)
• If you have found a good move - try and find a better move.
• The group were then introduced to using clocks.   
• The clocks were set to 15 min + 10sec
• All players did well and noone ended up with more time than they started with!
• In conjunction with notating the games there was silence as everyone concentrated!