About the club
Ealing is always looking for new members and offers a warm welcome to chess players of all strengths, nationalities and ages. Whether you are a keen amateur or a budding GM we want to hear from you. For seasoned players we can offer the opportunity of competitive chess in one of our eight league teams. Alternatively, if you just want to enjoy a game of social chess, there are always members happy to oblige with a game. There are also internal tournaments which allow members to play rated games against each other.
Although we are not a club for complete beginners, we can promise that your chess will improve with regular practice against our stronger players.
New members (from Grandmasters to beginners!) are always welcome. Feel free to just pop down on a Monday, or even better, give the New Members’ Co-ordinator a call or email first (020 3532 1734 / secretary.ealing.chess.club@gmail.com) and we will do our best to ensure there will be a member of the same standard around to give you a good game or two!
Venue
We meet on Mondays from 7.30 pm throughout the year, save for Christmas, New Year and Bank Holidays (when we meet on Tuesdays) in the spacious Sports Bar of The Actonians Sports Club, Gunnersbury Drive (off Popes Lane), Ealing, London W5 4LL.
The club is well served by public transport being just an 8 minute walk from Acton Town Tube (the closest Tube station on the District and Piccadilly line) and on the route of the E3 bus.
From the Tube station, walk down over the North Circular, cross the road to the BP station and carry on down Popes Lane. Gunnersbury Drive is the first on the right – 50 yards from the BP station – opposite the main entrance gates of Gunnersbury Park. Alternatively, take the E3 bus to Gunnersbury Avenue. Some parking is available at the club and on the adjoining roads.
The venue offers a friendly environment in which to play chess with a good range of beer and light refreshments available to enjoy during or after games.
League Teams
In 2023-24 the club will run seven senior teams and one junior team in the local chess leagues, which run from September to May each year, providing competitive playing opportunities for players of all abilities. Our first teams involve contests with some of the strongest players in the area, with top boards typically ECF 2000+. Conversely, the Thames Valley D and Hillingdon League C teams offer a “nursery slope” for the aspiring player.
| League | Captain | Div | Team | Strength |
| Thames Valley | Andrew Harley | One | 1st Team | > 1700 |
| Leslie Pringle | Three | 2nd Team | > 1600 | |
| Subas Subbaraj | Three | 3rd Team | > 1500 | |
| Neville Rowden | X | 4th Team | < 1500 | |
| Middlesex | Simon Healeas | One | 1st Team | > 1700 |
| Hillingdon | Mark Winterbotham | One | 1st Team | > 1700 |
| Alastair Johnstone | Two | 2nd Team | > 1500 | |
| Ricky Siddhu | Two | 3rd Team | < 1500 |
In addition to league chess, as an affiliate member of the Middlesex County Chess Association (MCCA), Ealing can also offer opportunities for its members to represent the county in the annual cycle of inter-county competitions. There are teams for players of all abilities with county captains always keen to welcome new players. To find out more follow this link Why Don’t You… Play Chess For Your County? (jotformeu.com).
Events
During the summer months, as well as supporting social chess, the club holds its Club Championship with players divided into all-play-all sections based on their grade. This event has proved very popular and keeps the competitive fires burning in the absence of league competition. The Club Championship itself is played for a prestigious trophy that has been awarded every year since 1903! The club also runs an annual Lightning Tournament and from time to time holds special events, such as simultaneous displays or instructional talks from strong players. Matthew Sadler and Natasha Regan have been regular speakers in recent years while a few years ago we played host to a visiting team from Mongolia! We have an excellent Club magazine full of interesting articles, members’ games and reviews of all the teams’ performances and results. Members on our e-mail list also receive regular newsletters to keep them informed and entertained. The club now also has its own Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ealingchess where members can stay connected and view a gallery of photos from our in-house professional photographer! We also have a WhatsApp group (optional participation) through which members can organise social or tournament games with each other.
Player Rating
All games from internal club tournaments and league games are submitted to the ECF (English Chess Federation) for rating. Don’t worry if you don’t have a rating when you first join – our stronger members will soon form a view of your playing strength and estimate your rating.
Club History
Ealing has a proud tradition as one of the oldest chess clubs in the country. Founded in 1885 we have met ever since, including during the two world wars! It has a long and fascinating history. Many famous people gave simuls over the years, starting in 1898 with Em. Lasker, who returned in 1934/35. F.D. Yates, the British champion, came regularly from ‘25, and in ‘32/’33 his simul is thought to have been his last public appearance. Reti gave a blindfold simul in ‘22/’23, winning 8, drawing 1 and losing 1. Others who came were Blackburne, Sir George Thomas, Maroczy, the American champion, Pillsbury, and the famous woman player, Vera Menchik. Generally the visitor won about 16 games, and drew or lost one or two.
| Thames Valley League Champions | 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2020 |
| Middlesex League Champions | 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 2009, 2011 |
| Hillingdon League Div 1 Champions | 2015, 2016, 2019 |
| Hillingdon League Div 2 Champion | 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 |
Ealing Juniors
In September 2011 a new chapter for the club opened with creation of Ealing Juniors with the intention of offering opportunities for league chess to up-and-coming players of the game. The success of this project culminated in our Juniors A team winning the Thames Valley League title in 2020. We are currently not running any dedicated junior teams but are fielding juniors alongside senior members in accordance with their playing strength.
Ealing Cadets
Ealing Chess has always realised the importance of training youngsters. We currently run coaching sessions for youngsters between 6-years old and 16-years old and the club is part of the ECF Development Pathway. These sessions are very popular and we maintain a group of 26 participants. The cadet sessions have an equal mix of girls and boys.
Please note – The coaching sessions are very popular and we have now reached the maximum number for the classes. However, we do have a waiting list and any new applicants can be placed onto this waiting list.
Compliance
Ealing Chess Club’s policy on safeguarding can be found here.
Ealing Chess Club’s advice on safeguarding can be found here.
Contact details with respect to safeguarding can be found here.
Privacy Notice
Ealing Chess Club’s privacy policy can be found here.