Big congratulations to our Junior’s Chess Club members who have all passed their Level 1 exams.

Here we can see a sample of our proud juniors with their personalised certificates. The tutors involved in helping the juniors include: Sam, Cayden, Sarunas, Tom, David S and Tony. Bourne Chess Club is fortunate to have a pool of volunteer members, assisting under a Designated Safeguarding Officer who are able to present different chess ideas to the juniors. The club is also grateful to Justine who is a parent of two of the Junior members, as she has liased with the examination board, organising sourcing the exam papers, invigilation and also sending the papers off for external assessment.

Passing the test has been the result of a lot of hard work and dedicated practice by the Juniors. Key chess skills are being developed that include ideas about position, development, rules, thinking before moving, notation, tactics, and checkmates.

In no particular order, a big well done goes to:

Alice, Sasha, Sophia, Max and Ryan.

Sam who has been helping the Juniors said, “I am very proud of our junior members, they have all worked so hard and deserve their certificates. I hope they continue to make further progress in September.”

1. How long have you been playing chess?

I’ve been playing chess ever since I was 7 years old, playing against computers and against my dad

2. Who taught you how to play?

My dad had taught me to play. And was a big role for the devotion I feel now.

3. When did you get your first chess set?

I’ve been using the same chess set my dad had before I was even born.

4. Do you prefer to play as white or black?

I prefer playing as white as I get to decide how the game would play out with that one extra tempo I get.

5. How would you describe your current ability and what is your goal?

I’d say I’m quite competent but still around intermediate level. My current goal is to work on my weaknesses by practicing consistently.

6. How do you motivate yourself to practice?

My practice isn’t driven by motivation but by genuine enjoyment. I love experimenting with new openings and analyzing my games. This curiosity keeps me engaged and eager to improve.

7. How many games do you play in a typical week?

I aim for more than one game a day online to remain sharp.

8. Do you prefer to play chess online or over the board?

I prefer to play over the board as you get to ask questions after the game and understand your errors.

9. What’s the most memorable game you have had so far?

The most memorable game for me was the first one I lost after joining BCC. I came in confident, with no losses under my belt, only to realize there’s always a bigger fish.

10. Who do you most admire as a chess player?

I admire Garry Kasparov not only for him being the champion for 15 years but for his powerful writing and insights into chess and politics.

11. Do you have a favourite opening?

Most definitely the Scotch Game, even got a poster of it on my wall.

12. What advice would you give to anyone starting to play the game?

Don’t get frustrated if nothing’s going to plan, chess is for everybody, you’ll get there.

1. How long have you been playing chess?

I’ve known how to play for 6-7 years

2. Who taught you how to play?

My Dad

3. When did you get your first chess set?

When I was 8 or 9 years old

4. Do you prefer to play as white or black?

White – allows you to choose the opening

5. How would you describe your current ability and what is your goal?

My current ability is probably around the advanced intermediate level

6. How do you motivate yourself to practice?

Sometimes I don’t practice, I’m either motivated or not and that decides whether I practice or not.

7. How many games do you play in a typical week?

10-15

8. Do you prefer to play chess online or over the board?

Over the board

9. What’s the most memorable game you have had so far?

The games at Eton School with Bourne Grammar Chess Team. It’s the annual rapid play tournament they hold.

10. Who do you most admire as a chess player?

Gukesh

11. Do you have a favourite opening?

The London system

12. What advice would you give to anyone starting to play the game?

Learn the basics before jumping to play games. Do the puzzles on chess.com to develop your understanding.

Bingo at the Bourne Chess Club with star host Tom calling the numbers.

Welcome along to our bingo night on Thursday 31/7/25 7-9pm.  Lots of prizes to be won including cash.

Come and see how bingo is supposed to be done, with our “professional” caller Tom on the mic. All proceeds go to Bourne Chess Club. We welcome bingo players from Bourne to come and support our chess club, have a laugh with Tom and maybe even win a cash prize.

We will be playing a variety of games on the night, with differing prize money. Entry on the door is £5 and cards are £2 each. You receive a free wine or beer on entry and please bring your own drinks (no food). (Teas/coffees/snacks sold seperately).  Whopping cash prize for our snowball game!

Wake House – the Baxter Room.  Enquiries: bournechessclub@gmail.com