About us

We are a small, friendly club who meet on Wednesday nights (most weeks). We are affiliated with the Sheffield and District Chess Association and, while we do run teams in league competitions, the focus is firmly on enjoying chess rather than getting results.

Where we meet

The Bluecoat (JD Wetherspoon)
The Crofts
Rotherham
S60 2DJ

We play in the first-floor dining area (take the stairs to the left of the bar).

There's plenty of on-street parking in town which is free after 6pm, but be sure to check the posted signs.

Contact

Our captain Chris can be contacted on 07935 783414

You can also email Oliver (who runs the website). His email address is [email protected]

New members

Come and sample the amazing world of over-the-board chess! We welcome people of all ages, identities, and backgrounds to our club.

It doesn't matter how strong a player you are, the main thing is that you enjoy the game! Many of us had only ever played online before coming to the club for the first time. Our guide for new players covers the rules of over-the-board chess and how ratings work.

We do not charge any membership or board fees, but if you would like to play for us in league matches and get an official chess rating, you'll need to buy an annual membership from the English Chess Federation after your first 3 league games (unless you're a member of another country's national chess federation).

To keep our hosts happy, please buy a drink or snack from the bar while you're here, and don't bring your own food or drink.

You're welcome to just turn up, but if you let us know you're coming using the details above, we can make sure you get the best possible welcome. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Juniors

We're a small club run by volunteers, and our members are predominantly adults. Unfortunately, we can't offer formal coaching or look after children.

Under-18s are welcome if a parent or guardian stays with them for the whole evening. The venue's rules mean they must leave by 9pm.

If your child is looking for coaching or games against players their own age, a dedicated junior club such as SASCA will suit them better.