Latest News
01/03/26 - LAUNCH PREPARATIONS
In the weeks leading up to the launch of our new chess club, things have been steadily coming together across Warndon Villages. You may have already spotted some of the posters that have gone up around the area, helping spread the word and build excitement for opening day.
COMMUNITY EFFORT
Three of our wonderful volunteers have been hard at work delivering leaflets to local homes. The first round of leaflet drops was completed on 28/02/26, reaching a large part of the community. The team will be back out again on 08/03/26 to finish the second half of the deliveries, making sure everyone has the chance to hear about the club.
LOOKING AHEAD
With posters up, leaflets going out, and interest growing, the launch is shaping up to be an exciting moment for Warndon Chess Club. We’re grateful for the support so far and can’t wait to welcome players of all ages and abilities when the club officially opens.
Click below to download our calendar of events - available soon
08/03/26 - LAUNCH
NIGHT A SUCCESS
The club’s first official evening on 02/03/26, proved to be a great success, with a total of 31 people in attendance for our launch night . It was an encouraging start and a fantastic turnout for the club’s very first meeting.
That number included 10 transfers from the Worcester club, 3 visitors from the Worcester club and 1 visitor from the Malvern club.
Two young enthusiasts received one-to-one coaching sessions, while the rest of the players began casual games, giving players the opportunity to settle in, meet one another, and enjoy some friendly competition. There was plenty of movement around the room throughout the session, with players switching opponents regularly and mixing across the tables, which helped create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for both experienced players and those returning to chess after some time away.
Complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits were available during the evening, giving players a chance to take a short break between games As a special introduction to the club, first-time visitors are able to attend free of charge. Thereafter, a £3 nightly fee applies. This small contribution helps cover venue costs.
The setup for the launch night was put together hastily, but despite the slightly improvised arrangements the evening ran smoothly and the enthusiasm in the room was clear. Since then, additional boards have been arranged and the playing area will be better organised for this week’s meeting, giving players a more comfortable setup. We also now have a revised finish time of 9.45pm, allowing more time to pack away.
Interest in the club is already building. The majority of those who attended said they had heard about the club through the recent leaflet drop, and another round of leaflets was distributed across the local area this weekend. With that in mind, we are expecting even more newcomers in the coming weeks.
With a strong turnout and plenty of positive feedback from players, the club’s launch night was an excellent start. We look forward to welcoming everyone back - along with some new faces - for another enjoyable evening of chess this week.
Club Announces Move to New Venue 23/03/26
We’re pleased to announce that our chess club will be relocating from Lyppard Community Hub, to a new venue, at Warndon Community Hub on Shap Drive WR4 9NX - with our first session taking place on Monday 30th March.
This move comes after careful consideration of the playing environment at our previous venue. While Lyppard Hub served us well for four weeks, it became clear that the room’s acoustics weren't compatible with chess - particularly the high ceilings and lack of carpeting - created excessive echo, making it less than ideal for competitive and rated play. It wasn't until the third week (when the first competitive game took place) that this was realised.
In addition, with only a limited time slot available at Lyppard Community Hub, the need to rush set-up and pack-down each week meant players often arrived before everything was fully prepared, which was not ideal for creating a calm and organised playing environment.
Our new home at Warndon Community Hub offers a significantly improved experience for all members. The hall is a similar size but comes with a range of added benefits, including:
A large dedicated kitchen exclusively for club use
Access to a private storage room
Large tables comfortably accommodating two boards
Upholstered chairs for improved acoustics and comfort during longer games
Low ceilings and carpet for much improved room acoustics
Same size playing hall - capacity to host 50+ players, supporting future club growth
Double doors opening out to let in air during the summer.
Importantly, the new venue provides us with dedicated access from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, allowing ample time to have everything fully set up before players arrive, and to pack away without pressure at the end of the evening.
We’re excited about this move and believe it will significantly enhance the overall club experience. We look forward to welcoming both existing and new members to our new home from 30th March onwards. See images below.
