Juniors

Guildford Chess Club runs a thriving junior section, which currently boasts over 100 members, on Monday evenings, during term time at the Guildford Institute. Our Beginner group runs from 5.15pm to 6.15pm and four more advanced groups (Improvers, Intermediate, Advanced and Elite) run from 6.15pm until 7.15pm.

We cater for children of all abilities from absolute beginners up to strong juniors rated around 2000 and we are keen to welcome new members. Players are streamed into groups with others of similar experience and follow a structured coaching programme. The club also provides the opportunity to play in club matches and tournaments when the players are ready.

The lead coach, International Master Andrew Martin (pictured), is supported by:

National Master Mark Josse, 2019 British Senior Champion, FIDE National Instructor, ECF Level 3 chess coach, Steps method trainer and ECU schools certified trainer.
FIDE international chess coach, arbiter and Surrey junior chess team manager Emma-Jane Billington-Phillips.
Experienced junior coach Paul Welling.

Andrew is a very highly regarded chess coach who was previously Head of the English Chess Federation Chess Academy. He is also the author or presenter of over 100 Chess DVDs and 15 chess books. As a very strong player, Andrew has had much success over the board, including twice winning the British Lightning championship, and he was even the Guinness World Record Holder for playing 321 opponents in a simultaneous display!

A first taster session is offered for free. Thereafter, coached membership costs £50 per term or £135 for a full year. Junior members, who do not attend coaching sessions but who wish to play for the main club, pay an annual subscription of £45.

Please note that membership of the Junior Club does not include membership of the English Chess Federation. Juniors wishing to play in ECF-rated events, including tournaments and league matches, will need to join the ECF separately. For details of ECF membership, see the Membership page on this website.

To enquire about joining the Junior Club please complete the form below. Please email any questions to juniors@guildfordchessclub.com.

Chess is “both a sport and a cultural pursuit” that “every child should have the opportunity to learn.”
– Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Junior membership

Full Name*

Email*

Date of birth*

Name of contact*

Email of Contact (if different from above)

Phone number of contact*

Brief details of player's chess experience*

School*

Other information

Details of medical conditions or anything else we should know

Lichess ID (if registered)

Chess.com ID (if registered)

ECF membership number (if registered)