Carrickfergus Community Chess Club

25/10/2026

🍂 IMPORTANT CLUB NOTICE 🍂

Just a quick reminder that the Chess Club is CLOSED this Tuesday, October 29th, due to the half-term break. 🏫🍁

Enjoy the time off, and we will see you back at the boards for our regular meeting next week on Tuesday, November 5th! ♟️⏱️

20/10/2026

♟️ Club Time Reminder ♟️

Just a quick reminder that after trialling extended opening hours, we’re returning to our usual club times.

🗓️ Every Tuesday
🕡 6:30pm - 8:00pm
📍 Open Door Centre, 32 Bridewell Drive

Whether you’re a beginner, a casual player, or a seasoned chess enthusiast, you’re very welcome to join us.

Come for the game, stay for the community. 😊♟️

We look forward to seeing you at the board! ❤️

18/10/2026

A big thank you to everyone who attended Carrickfergus Community Church’s Open Door Centre Service today.

It was great to hear more about the work of the Open Door Centre and the many clubs, groups and organisations that use this vital community space. I was also delighted to have the opportunity to share a little about our chess club.

I'd like to express my sincere gratitude to Carrickfergus Community Church and the Open Door Centre for the trust, support and encouragement they have given me and the club. Without them, none of this would have been possible.

Our aim has always been simple: to provide a welcoming place where people can enjoy a game of chess, meet new people and be part of a community.

Come for the game, stay for the community. ♟️

After trialling extended opening hours, we've decided to return to our normal opening times:

📅 Every Tuesday
⏰ 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Everyone is welcome, whether you're a beginner or an experienced player. We look forward to seeing you at the board! ❤️♟️

18/10/2026

14/10/2026

Sorry folks, I didn’t get any photos from this week’s chess club, but my son did manage to get a photo of me, so I thought I’d take the chance to introduce myself.

My name’s William. I’m a Christian, married with three kids, and I’ve lived in Sunnylands for over 20 years.

My dad taught me to play chess when I was young, and I still have the board we used. In fact, it was used for the very first game of the club, with my son making the first move.

A few years ago I caught the chess bug again and wanted to join a local club, but there wasn’t one nearby. Then, after hearing about the Open Door Centre at Carrickfergus Community Church and their willingness to support new community ideas, I decided to start one myself.

For me, chess is about more than the game. It reminds me of my dad, brings people together, and creates friendships. It’s a great leveller too. It doesn’t matter your age, background or experience, everyone can pull up a chair and have a game. In a world that’s always rushing, chess gives us a chance to slow down, think, and connect with others. Plus, it’s a great way to get the kids off their screens for a while!

A big thank you to Carrickfergus Community Church and the Open Door Centre for believing in the idea and giving us a home.

This Sunday is the church’s annual Open Door Service, where we’ll be celebrating the different groups and volunteers serving our community. We’re just ordinary people doing our bit to help Carrickfergus flourish, and you’d be very welcome to come along and find out more.

📍 Carrickfergus Community Church, 32 Bridewell Drive
⏰ 10.30am

Finally, thank you to everyone who has supported the club so far. Whether you’ve come along for one night or every week, you’ve helped make it the friendly and welcoming place I’d hoped it would be. ♟️❤️

See you at the board! 😊

12/10/2026

06/10/2026

What a brilliant evening at Carrickfergus Community Chess Club! ♟️✨

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our Positive Ageing Chess Social tonight at the Open Door Centre. It was fantastic to see such a vibrant mix of generations sharing tables, sharing stories, and enjoying some great games of chess together.

Events like this remind us of the true strength of our community: bringing people together across generations in a spirit of welcome, connection, and mutual respect.

Whether you played your very first games or were showing off decades of experience, your presence made the night a real success.

A big thank you as well to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for driving Positive Ageing Month, helping us highlight the value, wisdom, and fellowship that older members bring to our town.

If you enjoyed tonight—or couldn't make it this time—you are always welcome to join us for our regular sessions.

See you all at the boards next week! 🤝♟️

01/10/2026

To celebrate Positive Ageing Month across Mid East Antrim, Carrickfergus Community Chess Club is hosting a special Positive Ageing Chess Social!

Whether you are a regular player or just starting your chess journey, everyone is welcome to come down, enjoy a relaxed game and a yarn with friendly faces.

Date: Tuesday 6th October
Time: 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Location: Open Door Centre, Bridewell Drive

Entry is completely free for older people on the night!

Chess is a wonderful way to keep the mind sharp, build connection, and enjoy community together. Bring a friend or come along on your own, you will be warmly welcomed!

23/09/2026

Another brilliant turnout at the chess club last night! It was fantastic to see players sticking around for our later session.

We still have plenty of room for more players at our 8pm - 9pm session (16+). Our earlier all-ages and abilities session (6:30pm - 8pm) continues to be packed with great energy and welcoming games!

If you are 16 or over, you are welcome to drop in for both sessions or just pick the time that works best for you.

Whether you want to sharpen your opening strategy or just fancy a casual board with a friendly chat and a warm cup of tea, there is a seat ready for you.

All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced players. Grab a friend and come along next Tuesday evening!

📍 Where: Open Door Centre
⏰ When: Tuesdays | 6:30pm - 8:00pm (All Ages) & 8:00pm - 9:00pm (16+)

15/09/2026

♟️ Chess club is officially back for the new term! ♟️

It was brilliant to see so many familiar faces back at the boards tonight, alongside some new ones joining us for the first time! 🤝 Thank you so much to everyone who came along and made the evening such a success. 👏

Our door is always open to all ages and abilities 🚪

✨ We are all about building a welcoming, supportive space where everyone can play, connect, and enjoy being part of the community together. ❤️

We meet every Tuesday evening at the Open Door Centre on Bridewell Drive: 📍

⏰ 6:30pm to 8:00pm: Open to all ages and all abilities
⏰ 8:00pm to 9:00pm: 16+ session

If you missed tonight, do not worry! Pop along next Tuesday for a game and a chat, or drop us a message if you have any questions. Everyone is welcome! 👋