Here is a list of chess clubs affiliated to the Northumberland Chess Association:
Northumberland County
Alnwick 🌐🗺️📧
We currently have three teams in the Northumbria League (our home and away matches are at Morpeth Chess Club on Wednesdays), and our members also play in weekend congresses and a club championship.
But chess is not just about formal games – our club nights on Thursdays at Alnwick RFC are largely for social chess, with informal games, chat and opportunities to learn and improve (and to have a drink if you so wish!).
Players of all abilities are very welcome. Please simply turn up one Thursday at Alnwick RFC, Greensfield Avenue, Alnwick NE66 1BE between 6:30pm and 9:30pm or contact George on 07725 749846, by email gellames@yahoo.com or via Facebook (Alnwick Chess Club).
Morpeth 🌐🗺️
Just turn up at Morpeth RFC, Grange House Field, Mitford Road, Morpeth NE61 1RJ on a Wednesday at 7.15pm. There are always a few players around to give you a game. We currently run three league teams (one in Division 2, one in Division 3 and one in Division 4) and we always welcome new squad members. Visit the club website for more.
Tynedale 🌐🗺️
Just turn up at Ovington Social Club, Ovington, Prudhoe, Northumberland NE42 6DH on a Thursday after 7pm (matches start at 7:15)
We welcome all new players who would like to play competitively in the leagues. New members will normally play a few matches in the South Tyne League to get themselves into shape for the Northumbria League, where our team has re-entered in Division 6.
The club is very well attended on non-league nights. If you’re after something more structured than 5-10 minute games, our club championship works on a ladder system. So you can play as many or little games as you want. Visit the club website for more.
Newcastle & North Tyneside
Tynemouth 🌐🗺️📧
Just turn up on Tuesday after 7pm at Hunting Lodge, Earsdon Road, Whitley Bay, NE25 9SX, or email tynemouthchessclub@gmail.com.
Tynemouth have four teams covering the entire range of abilities, and a very active club night with a second internal competition designed for players who can’t commit to the formal club championship. Visit the club website for more.
Gosforth 🌐🗺️📧
Just turn up on Mondays after 7:15pm at Empire Club and Institute, 32-34 Salters Road, Newcastle NE3 1DX
We run a total of nine teams in the Northumbria League, so there are many opportunities to play league chess, whatever your strength or rating. There are also a raft of internal club competitions for all levels and there’s always a casual opponent to be found on a Monday night.
League and serious competitive chess is played in the Upstairs Function Room under match conditions. Social chess, banter blitz and game analysis is welcome in the Downstairs Lounge. The club boasts a nice mixture of chess and social interaction with a regular attendance of 50-60+.
Email enquires@gosforthchessclub.co.uk, call Mick Riding on 07852 192072 or visit https://www.gosforthchessclub.co.uk/
Jesmond 🗺️📧
Please call or email ahead by contacting Andy Trevelyan on: 07913 493 787 or andytrev@gmail.com
We meet weekly-ish (Thursdays are popular) at The Punch Bowl Inn, 125 Jesmond Rd, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1JY for social chess in a friendly environment with a good bar. The Punch Bowl is a friendly pub, situated on the A1058 Coast Road, on major bus routes and 10 minutes’ walk from Jesmond Metro station.
Our league team currently plays in Division 1 and new players are always welcome. There are plenty of opportunities for drinks, chat and casual chess, and we welcome all ages and abilities.
Newcastle 🌐🗺️📧
Tuesdays, 7pm-10:30pm (everyone is welcome – just turn up!) at The Old George Inn, Old George Yard, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EZ (just off The Bigg Market and High Bridge Street).
We meet weekly at The Old George for friendly games, blitz, rapidplay and standard play competitions and league chess.
We currently have two Northumbria League teams (our A team are 2023-24 Division 1 champions and our B team are 2023-24 Division 6 champions). In October 2024 we plan to enter four teams in various divisions. Players of all strengths are welcome to play in our league teams – we will find a place for you, whatever your level or experience!
JUNIOR CLUB: We run Newcastle Junior Chess Club every Sunday afternoon at Jesmond Library, 2:30-4:30pm.
LIBRARY CLUB: We also run a free drop-in chess club at Newcastle City Library (Level 1) every Saturday, 11am-1pm. Come along for a friendly game, a coffee and a chat. All welcome!
To play regularly at The Old George Inn and/or Jesmond Library, you should join Newcastle Chess Club. For more info, contact: Tim Wall, Tel: 07503 722366, email: timpeterwall@gmail.com, or visit https://newcastlechessclub.com/.
Newcastle University 🌐🗺️
Thursdays 6pm – contact first (and ideally be a student or faculty member)
Forest Hall 🌐🗺️
Just turn up after 7:15pm on Friday at Forest Hall Ex-Servicemen’s Club, 26 Crescent Way North, Forest Hall, NE12 9AR. Junior Club meets on Fridays from 5pm to 7pm.
Forest Hall Chess Club runs four teams in the Northumbria League with an active membership spread between ages 6 years to 80+ and anyone who wants to play competitive chess in the league will be given that opportunity.
It is a very friendly and welcoming club that tries to cater for all needs. There are always people in who want to play friendly, social games and others who are striving to improve their game. But the groups are not exclusive, everyone is happy to play everyone else.
There is a desire to learn and improve, especially amongst the younger members, so there is an ongoing training programme for anyone who wishes to take part in it. This has been very successful over the years and has helped beginners become proficient league players and some even become county champion. Visit https://foresthallchess.org.uk for more.
Gateshead & South Tyneside
Gateshead 🗺️📧
Please email ahead to Peter Wells: peter.wells@heraeus.com
Thursdays 7.15pm at Carlton Club, 11 Belle Vue Bank, Gateshead NE9 6BQ
Gateshead are running 4-player teams in two county leagues and have a total membership of about 6. So they could use extra players!
Leam Lane 🗺️
Please call ahead Rob Appleby 0191 421 9120 / 07850 115170
Tuesdays 7.15pm Leam Lane WMC, Fewster Square, Gateshead NE10 8XQ
Leam Lane Chess Club welcome players of all abilities and experience. The Club currently have three teams in the league with top players competing in the first division and newer members trying their hand in the lower leagues.
On most Tuesdays there will be players at the Club, especially during the competitive season of October – April. There’ll always be the opportunity for a game or some post-game analysis to help you improve. If you’re travelling any distance, call ahead to ensure there’ll be someone at the club. We look forward to meeting you!
South Shields 🌐🗺️📧📧
Club Nights Thursday 7pm – 10pm at The New Ship Inn, 403 Sunderland Road, South Shields NE34 8DG. League Match Games start at 7.15pm. Email Stan Johnson: stanleyjohnson442@gmail.com or Eddie Czestochowski: eddie@southshieldschessclub.co.uk or visit the club website.
South Shields have undergone a bit of a renaissance in recent years and now offer opportunities to play in the Northumbria League and Durham League. They currently run 5 teams.
The emphasis at the club is inclusiveness and the club runs a number of internal club competitions, the Club Championship is an ECF graded tournament, others are ungraded. The club operates in the back room of the pub and on a busy match night it might seem quite full. We welcome new members, sometimes it is better to give us advance notice that you are planning to attend so that we can look out for you. In either case we will give you a warm welcome.
Chess For All Session: on Tuesdays and Saturdays 10am until 12pm at The Word Central Library in South Shields. All levels welcome, it is the ideal opportunity and venue for juniors to get introduced to chess. Training is offered to newcomers.
Northumberland Chess Association 