Junior Chess Club - Right here in Chessington!
Every Monday (Term Time) from 7pm to 8pm at the King’s Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington KT9 2GZ Free parking is always available in our on site car park.
Learn Skills for Life
Top-Notch Coaching. Brilliant Value. Right Here in Chessington.
"We know every parent wants a proper leg-up for their child's future, and that means reliable skills that truly help with exams, school, and eventually getting a decent start in a career. That’s what we offer every Monday night at Chessington Junior Chess. This isn't just a simple game. We use the challenge of chess to build vital skills: commitment, focus, planning, good sportsmanship and practical problem-solving. Whether your child is a complete beginner or ready for serious competition, our Master-led coaching gives you top-quality lessons for an affordable club fee. We’re a safe, long-standing, and reliable club, dedicated to ensuring your child's time and your money are genuinely well spent."
High-Quality Teaching for Every Level: 40 Years of Combined Experience.
Your child will learn from expert, encouraging teachers who have a combined four decades of dedicated teaching experience. We ensure every class is a positive learning experience, focused on development and fun, not just winning. For those seeking the highest level of instruction, our advanced classes are led by a qualified FIDE Candidate Master, providing top-tier, strategic coaching often found only at much higher prices. We are proud to offer this exceptional standard of chess education, making a powerful skill accessible to every child in our community.
Free On Site Parking
Parking is Free and easy. We offer complimentary on-site parking for all parents and members visiting the Chessington Junior Chess Club.
Welcome and Mission Statement
A Big, Friendly Welcome to the Chessington Junior Chess Club!
The perfect place for your child to grow a passion for the world's greatest game.
We are a fun, friendly, and focused community thrilled to welcome new members! Whether your child is moving their first pawn or planning complex strategies, we provide the perfect environment for them to develop skills, build confidence, and have fun. We believe chess is the best game in the world!
Our Sessions: Learn & Compete
Our goal is to make every Monday a fun learning adventure. We structure our evening into two exciting sessions, ensuring every child learns at their pace:
Beginner & Intermediate Lessons
Easy, fun learning! We cover fundamental rules and those first tricky tactical patterns in a relaxed, low-pressure setting.
Master-Led Lessons
Step up to advanced strategies, classic game analysis, and preparation for local tournaments.
Expect lots of hands-on activities, engaging group puzzles, and our dynamic Interactive Chess Olympics where you put your skills to the test right away!
Key Logistics & Safety (The Must-Knows)
We prioritize a secure environment so you can relax, and your child can focus on their game. Rest assured that all of our dedicated coaches hold Enhanced DBS Checks.
📍 Where & When We Meet
Venue Address:
The Kings Centre, Coppard Gardens,
Chessington, KT9 2GZ
We meet every Monday evening during term time. Our session runs from 7:00pm to 8:00pm.
🅿️ Parking Information
Free, Convenient On-Site Parking
We make dropping off and picking up easy and stress-free.
Parking is easy and free. We offer complimentary on-site parking for all parents and members visiting the Chessington Junior Chess Club. There is plenty of space available right in the car park attached to the Kings Centre venue.
Best wishes
Mr & Mrs Briscoe
Meet the local Coaches who care
Mrs Briscoe - Our Beginner and Intermediate Coach
"Our younger students and beginners are in brilliant hands. Mrs. Briscoe is not only a fantastic educator but she is also a second-generation chess coach, meaning she comes from a family that has dedicated their lives to helping kids succeed through this game. She currently teaches at some of the top private schools in the country, ensuring your child gets the highest quality start. But her commitment to this area runs even deeper: as a child, she played games with friends right here in Chessington when the theme park was just a zoo! For her, the club is truly about giving back that passion and knowledge to the local community. We offer that level of professionalism and care as part of your affordable club fee. Her fun, supportive approach guarantees that even absolute beginners quickly gain confidence and a strong, positive understanding of the game."
Mr Briscoe - Our Advanced level Coach
"For children ready to seriously step up their game—whether aiming for school tournaments or even dreaming of representing England—Chris Briscoe is the coach you need. It was whilst living right here in Chessington that he achieved the high honour of becoming the Surrey Champion and grew to be a Candidate Master, a level of expertise you simply won't find at every local club. While Chris is a sought-after expert who currently teaches advanced lessons at both top private and state schools in the country, his commitment to Chessington is about giving back that championship knowledge to our local community. Your child will get tournament-proven instruction from a highly qualified, local expert, all for an affordable club fee."
Strategic Success
Discover Why Kids Love Our Chess Club
Strategic Minds
Develop Strategic Thinking with Chess
Enhance critical thinking and decision-making skills in children through engaging chess activities at Chessington Junior Chess Club.
Beginner-Friendly Lessons and Master led advanced lessons
We offer a really welcoming and flexible approach to learning chess at the Chessington Junior Chess Club.
For new players, our beginner lessons are all about fun! We focus on getting the basics right—learning how the pieces move and mastering those first simple tactics—in a totally relaxed, low-pressure setting.
For experienced players, our sessions step up to include exciting master-led lessons. This means your child gets top-tier coaching on advanced strategies, deep game analysis, and preparation for competitions, helping them push their skills as far as they want to go.
Whether your child is just starting out or aiming for the top, we guarantee high-quality, engaging lessons tailored just for them!
Interactive Workshops
Get ready for our dynamic, hands-on Interactive Chess Workshop at the Chessington Junior Chess Club!
Moving beyond standard lesson formats, this session is packed with engaging group activities, fun mini-tournaments, and practical challenges designed to immediately put theory into practice.
Juniors will rotate through stations focused on different skills—from timed tactical puzzles and exciting endgame races to collaborative strategy discussions—all in a lively, encouraging environment.
It's the perfect opportunity for players of all levels to meet new friends, test their skills against diverse opponents, and dramatically sharpen their chess thinking through active participation and immediate feedback.
Weekly Tournaments
Experienced Coaches
Guidance from expert junior chess teachers with over 40 years of experience. All our teachers are enhanced DBS checked.
Private One to One Lessons Available
We offer private one-on-one chess lessons for children. Our experienced coaches will provide personalized tutoring to improve skills and understanding of the game. Sessions are tailored to meet individual needs and levels.
Safe Environment
The safety and well-being of all our members, particularly junior players, is our highest priority. You can be assured that all staff and volunteers who work with our members have undergone and successfully passed enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. These checks are mandatory for all individuals involved in supervising activities at the club.
We maintain strict safeguarding policies and practices, ensuring a secure and supportive environment where everyone can enjoy the game of chess with confidence. If you have any questions about our safeguarding procedures, please do not hesitate to contact the Club Safeguarding Officer.
Chess Events
Special Events and Fun Tournaments! 🎉Beyond our regular Monday sessions, the Chessington Junior Chess Club keeps the excitement going with frequent special events!
Throughout the term, we host engaging, hands-on Interactive Chess Workshops where players dive into fun group puzzles and tactical challenges. Also our tournaments are a great way of developing our chess skills.
The absolute highlight, however, is our famous Chess-Themed Parties! Think of them as our usual friendly club meetings, but packed with extra fun, special snacks, and way more awesome prizes up for grabs after the tournaments!
For those serious about competition, consistent performance in these events can open the door to joining the elite Surrey Junior Chess Squad, giving your dedicated junior the chance to represent the county in prestigious matches!
Passion for Learning
Inclusivity and Community
Integrity and Respect
Creativity and Innovation
Commitment to Excellence
🤝 Chessington Junior Chess Club: Making Chess Accessible
Frequently asked questions
1. Getting Started (Logistics and Scheduling)
Q: When does the club meet?
A: We meet every Monday evening during school term time. Our sessions run from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Q: Where is the club held?
A: We meet at The Kings Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington, KT9 2GZ. Look for us on the ground floor—just come in and turn right. We'll be in the meeting room opposite the second set of chairs and tables.
Q: Are there classes for different skill levels?
A: Yes! We separate our juniors into two structured classes to ensure everyone learns at the right pace. Mr. Briscoe teaches the advanced group, and Mrs. Briscoe teaches the Beginners and Intermediates group.
Q: Is parking available, and is it free?
A: Yes, there's always free parking right next to The Kings Centre in the attached car park.
2. Affordability and Membership (Cost)
Q: What is the cost for my child to attend?
A: We are committed to being affordable! Our coaching is just £7 per session. But your first trial session is only £5.
Q: Do I have to pay for a whole term upfront?
A: No, we understand that budgeting is important. Payment is currently done on a weekly basis—pay as you go!
Q: Can my child try it out before I commit to anything?
A: Absolutely. You can bring your child to attend for the first couple of weeks. £5 for the first session and then £7 for each additional weekly session, but you won't need to pay the £30 annual membership fee until you are sure the club is a great fit. This gives you peace of mind before fully signing up.
Q: Are there discounts for siblings?
A: While we don't offer a traditional sibling discount, our session fee is already structured to be the lowest possible affordable price (£7 per child). This guarantees every single child receives the same focused, personalized attention and high-quality coaching from our experienced team, keeping our valuable coach-to-student ratio small and effective.
Q: What does the £30 membership fee cover?
A: The membership is only paid once a year and includes all structured coaching, access to our online resources, entry into our fun internal club tournaments, and a welcome goodie pack for your child!
3. Trusted Coaching and Safety
Q: What if my child has never played chess before?
A: They are more than welcome! Our Beginners class is specifically designed for complete newcomers, focusing on fun and learning the basic rules and pieces in a supportive environment.
Q: Who are the coaches, and are they qualified?
A: Your child will be in safe hands! Our sessions are led by the highly experienced Mr. and Mrs. Briscoe.
• Mrs. Briscoe teaches our beginners, bringing over ten years of top-tier chess teaching experience from private schools. She focuses on a fun, patient curriculum to build confidence quickly.
• Mr. Chris Briscoe (a FIDE Candidate Master and former Surrey Champion) leads the advanced group, offering world-class instruction that has helped students represent England.
Q: Are the coaches vetted?
A: Yes. For your peace of mind, all of our dedicated coaches hold Enhanced DBS Checks.
Q: What is the coach-to-student ratio?
A: We aim for a maximum 1 coach to 10 students. This ensures your child always receives the focused, one-on-one attention they need to progress.
Q: Can parents stay and wait during the session?
A: Yes! You are welcome to stay in the cafe area and enjoy some affordable snacks and drinks, including amazing fair trade coffee and fresh baked cakes.
Q: Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, The King's Centre is fully accessible. It has level access, automatic doors at the main entrance, ramped access at the rear, a wheelchair-accessible car park, and disabled toilets.
Discover the Chessington Junior Chess Club, where young minds excel in strategy and critical thinking. Our expert coaches provide engaging sessions tailored for all skill levels, fostering a love for chess in a fun and supportive environment. Join us and watch your child's confidence and cognitive abilities soar. Enroll today!
Join the Chessington Champions where Chessington Checkmates!
It's time to take their game to the next level. Join the Champions at Chessington Junior Chess Club. Where Chessington Checkmates