Over the past year or so, interest in chess amongst older children has really taken off. For the first time in 40 years or more, chess has become a popular activity in state secondary schools.

School chess clubs are great if you just want to play low level games against your friends, but children who’d like to take the game further, and are perhaps playing or learning online, will need something else as well.

Professionally run Centres of Excellence are great for children whose parents are ambitious for them to become elite players, but not all children will want or need this approach, and not all parents will be able to afford their charges.

We’re promoting Chess Heroes clubs: chess clubs for children and young people within – and run by – the community. They might take place in community centres, libraries, youth clubs, or as adjuncts to existing ‘adult’ chess clubs. They’re mainly for children who can already play a reasonable game, but who are not yet ready for adult clubs and competitions, because they’re too young and/or not sufficiently experienced.

They’re not designed for young beginners, who will need one-to-one attention. You might provide parents with the resources they need to help their children at home, or perhaps run a minichess club if there’s sufficient demand.

Chess Heroes clubs are always either free or have a nominal charge to cover equipment and utilities, and are run by unpaid volunteers. Our download page provides, for free, the coaching materials and stationery you need. You might also want to encourage your organisers and members to buy my Chess Heroes (and other) books here.

We encourage organisers to be proactive about identifying members of their community who might gain particular social benefits from joining a chess club. This might include, for example, refugees and other new arrivals to the country, children diagnosed with autism, ADHD or other additional needs, children with physical handicaps, or children with anxiety or depression.

The charity Chess in Schools and Communities runs free courses for anyone interested in helping to run children’s chess clubs, and can also provide free equipment.

If you’re interested in setting up a club of this nature and you’re in my area (Twickenham) get in touch and I’ll see how I can help you.

Our first Chess Heroes club takes place after school on Thursdays at Twickenham Library, in the town centre, easily accessible by public transport. Your children are always welcome to join us. We’re also in the early stages of discussion concerning setting up a Chess Heroes club in a local community centre, and are also thinking about starting a junior group within Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club meeting earlier in the evening.