Chess Clubs – Suffolk Junior Chess

During the global pandemic there was a very limited amount of over-the-board chess, so Suffolk Junior Chess set up an online club on the website lichess.org, which is free to join and to participate in.

Online chess is no substitute for over-the-board chess, but it does have some advantages, for example: logistics are easier, online chess tools can assist learning, and it’s less expensive. It is our intention that this club will continue into the future.

There are also a number of excellent over-the-board chess clubs locally in Suffolk listed below.

We envisage the future generations of chess players learning via a blend of online and over-the-board clubs and events.

Online Chess Clubs

Club name	Location	Meetings	Who	What happens?
Suffolk Junior Chess Online Chess Club	Lichess	Wednesday club evenings: 7pm – 8pm Weekend Tournaments & Events	Tim Kent	This is a new club which has been set-up to provide junior players from beginner to tournament player with the opportunity to play chess online with other local players.

Over-the-board Chess Clubs

Club name	Location	Meetings	Who	What happens?
Bury Knights Junior Chess Club	Moreton Hall Community Centre Symonds Road Bury St Edmunds IP32 7EE	Every Friday, 6 – 8pm from September to end of March, with a short break for Christmas. Chess continues to 9.30 pm for Division 1 members in a joint session with the adult club.	Bob Jones	The club is split into 4 or 5 divisions with the divisions ranging from top level experienced tournament players through to absolute beginners in the ‘lower’ divisions. The club aims to offer fun and mpetitive chess with internal leagues and grading. Players in Division 1 enjoy a mix of coaching and competitive fun chess. Coaching is also offered to beginners to help them learn the moves and basic strategy and checkmating. From 8pm, players from Division 1 are invited to join the adult club night which runs until 9.30pm.
Ipswich Junior Chess Club	Lecture Hall Ipswich County Library Northgate Street IP1 3DE	Saturday mornings, 9.45am – 11.45am.	Martin Tomes	Players are paired up with other players of approximate similar ability. Coaching is offered, although not every week. Home and away matches are arranged with other clubs, with a club competition taking place in the summer.
Martlesham Junior Chess Coaching	Martlesham Heath (Please contact Dagne for details)	As arranged with Dagne	International Master Dagne Ciuksyte	IM Dagne Ciuksyte runs the individual and joint lessons to all level junior chess players (and their parents) concentrating on the intensive chess tuition. For more information please visit https://dagnechess.co.uk/ or contact Dagne on mjchessclub@gmail.com.