WELCOME TO MARPLE & DISTRICT  CHESS CLUB PAGE

A big HELLO to everyone visiting this page, especially if you’re here because you’ve seen one of our posters scattered around Marple district. The main point of this page is to give you some info about Marple & District Chess Club so that you can visit us and play chess – so here we go!

WHERE
The club plays at the NAVIGATION pub at the top end of Stockport Rd, Marple (opposite the cinema) in the upstairs function room.

DIRECTIONS
If travelling from Stockport into Marple, use the main road until you reach the traffic lights by the parade of shops on your left, opposite Somerfields. You will need to take the middle road of the three that face you. This is Stockport Road. Carry on through two sets of lights and the NAVIGATION is on the right hand side. Parking is alongside the pub and at the rear. Enter the pub by the front entrance and the stairs to the function room are right in front, but please ask at the bar before going upstairs.

WHEN
This coming season the club will meet every Thursday evening from October 2012 to May, 2013.

We start at 7:30 and finish at 11:00 but that doesn’t mean that you have to be there for the whole time. You can arrive later and go earlier if you like, but chess does take time so allow enough for a few games.

To keep us going through the summer months we continue to play at the Navigation, but sometimes downstairs in the rear room. This is completely informal and definitely not serious play. It is also a good chance to chat about chess generally, so pop in if you can.

THE CLUB
The club membership includes some of the strongest players in the Manchester region, but also welcomes anyone interested in chess, from beginner upwards. Our best players have a national grade of over 200. We give advice and tuition to new starters or rusty players freely and will chat about all aspects of chess. It is still a small and friendly club which welcomes newcomers.

CLUB TOURNAMENTS
We have a thriving in-house tournament which runs throughout the season with two trophies up for grabs, plus a chance to improve your national (ECF) grading. One of them uses a handicap system which gives everyone an opportunity to play competitive chess.

LEAGUE CHESS
The club runs 4 teams in the Stockport & District League, and, for the first time , has entered a team in the Manchester league. This will provide an opportunity to play League chess to everyone in the Club who wishes to be involved.

Last season was probably the most successful in Marple Chess Club’s 50 year history. The 1st Team won Division 1 in the Stockport League, and also carried off the Charnley Cup, the premier knock-out competition.

Once again several of our players improved their National grading significantly, through league and club chess, and this season we will have International Master Daniel Fernandez in the squad, a big plus for the club! Another regular is the Captain of the English Women's Chess Team.

We have also played league chess during the summer, and will consider doing so again, although this is decided on a season by season basis.

MEMBERSHIP FEES
The current cost of membership is still only £20 per person per year, with concessions for juniors and players unable to come every week. This covers cost and use of equipment, league fees, grading fees, etc and also covers play during the summer. Basic tuition for beginners is at no extra cost.

CLUB HISTORY
The club was established in 1946 as the Marple Bridge and District Chess Club and originally met at the Congregational Hall, Marple Bridge. After changing its name and moving to the Carver Institute 1966/ Carver Playhouse 1967/ Carver Theatre 1971, the club played its last season at the Theatre in 1976/77. The club moved to the Marple Recreational Centre, (now 6th form College), Hibbert Lane, on Tuesday, 25th April 1978. In September 2005 the club moved to the Navigation.

QUIZ CORNER
Which of these groups can force checkmate against a lone King?

A) King and two Bishops B) King and two Knights C) King, Knight and Bishop.

Answer at the club.

CONTACT
So, if you're a chess nut, a returning player or just interested please contact the club secretary Terry on 0161 449 7008, e-mail him at or simply turn up on the night for a stress free game or two.