The Beckenham & Bromley Chess Club meets on Thursday nights from September to June (inclusive). The Club will now meet at the Pavilion of the Kent County Cricket Club, Worsley Bridge Road, Beckenham, BR3 1RL.
To put the venue in context, it is the Sports Ground opposite our old venue on the other side of Copers Cope Road. However, the entrance is on the other side of the ground, in Worsley Bridge Road. There is on site parking.
We had hoped that we might be able to find premises a bit closer to the centre for non-car users but it is still easy walking distance from New Beckenham and Lower Sydenham stations. Additionally, the 352 bus stop is almost outside the place. The 352 runs from Lower Sydenham to Bromley calling at West Wickham, Bromley South and Bromley North stations and lots of places in between. It is a 20 minute service up to 9 p.m. and 30 minutes thereafter. The full timetable can be seen on the TFL site.
Trains from Charing Cross to Lower Sydenham or New Beckenham leave you about 10 minutes walk from the club.
Here's a map of where we are.
It's a good facility with a bar right next to the club room. All matches start at 7:30pm, though there's usually a steady flow of people coming and going throughout the evening when they're not playing for the club. The bar closes at 10-45pm.
We're always looking for new members, and would be pleased to see you there. Just drop in one evening, or contact or for more details.
I guess it's fair to say that we're not really set up for complete beginners. But anyone who understands the basic principles of the game - perhaps by reading one of the basic introductory books and practicing for a bit against a computer or a friend - will be fine.
At the top end, several of our players have international ratings and are really very good indeed! At different times we've even had some professional players in the teamlist, and we can also put you in touch with national coaches for that extra bit of tuition if you fancy it.