The Swindon Chess Club

01/11/2026

Don't forget this coming Tuesday is Chess and Chat at The Abbey Meads starting around 730pm.

It's free to play, so come on, grab a drink, join the rest of us and push those pawns

We are here on the first and third Tuesday of the month, on the left just beyond the bar.

28/10/2026

Swindon's Wiltshire Minor League campaign didn't get off to quite the start we'd hoped for, with defeat away to Devizes last night. But there's plenty of chess still to play, and as the song goes, "Things can only get better!" ♟️

Meanwhile, congratulations to our junior neighbours at Chessmax Swindon, who battled hard to earn a draw against Trowbridge. A great effort and a well-deserved point! 👏

Onwards and upwards! 💪

27/10/2026

A number of Swindon Chess Club members are going along to Witney Classical Chess Congress. Will you be one of them? Hot off the heels of a wonderful Rapid event at the same location, we're looking forward to it.

Also don't forget Stroud Rapid the week after - again a few of us going, numbers are limited for that at 72 entrants, dont delay, sign up today if you want to go along.

If you know of other tournaments within a short drive from Swindon/Wiltshire do let us know and we can pop up a note to see if anyone in our followers might be interested.

Up next in the calendar locally - Witney Classical is at the end of the month. Will we see any of you there?

Closely followed by Stroud Rapid a week later...

Anything I've missed? What tournaments do you know of that are a short hop away from Swindon?

27/10/2026

Swindon A came away with 2 points this evening in the Wiltshire County Open division. A 4-1 win against Chippenham gets our account underway. Three teams vying for the lead on 2 points. 5 teams have now played and a few more yet to play their first match yet.

https://wiltshirechess.org/league.html?league=Wiltshire%2026%2F27%20Open

Next up, Swindon's Minor Division (under-1550) team travels to Devizes tomorrow

Swindon B Open division get off the mark next week.

25/10/2026

Well I for one hope she does it all...

21/10/2026

♟️🍺 Winter is coming! ❄️

And what better way to spend an evening as the nights draw in?

A pint of your favourite refreshment, a warm seat, a chessboard and some friendly faces. What's not to like?

♟️ Join us at The Abbey Meads on the first and third Tuesday of every month for a few hours of friendly chess, chat and perhaps the occasional questionable move!

We had a couple of new faces join us last night, and it's great to see our little group growing, with a mix of regulars and those who pop in whenever they can.

📅 Our next evening is in two weeks on the 3rd November!

Whether you're a seasoned player, a little rusty, or just fancy giving chess a go, you're very welcome.

No pressure, no clocks, no grandmasters required. Just good company and a few games of chess.

Come along, grab a drink and make your move! ♟️🍻

17/10/2026

GM Keith Arkell reaches 100 games unbeaten! ♟️

Congratulations to GM Keith Arkell on completing 100 consecutive FIDE-rated classical games without defeat!

Keith began this impressive run on 15 January, just a week after turning 65, and reached the 100-game mark on 6 September, with 72 wins and 28 draws.

And there may be even more to celebrate: Keith believes he may also be the oldest player known to have achieved this.

Congrats, Keith! 🎉♟️

📸 Melinda Wilde/ECF

06/10/2026

Up tonight (6/10) is our regular first and third Tuesday of the month event... Chess and Chat at The Abbey Meads pub.

So if you like chess, but prefer a more informal approach to it, come along show us your thoughts on e4 versus d4. Come along, grab a drink, we're at the back of the room.

06/10/2026

Up next in the calendar locally - Witney Classical is at the end of the month. Will we see any of you there?

Closely followed by Stroud Rapid a week later...

Anything I've missed? What tournaments do you know of that are a short hop away from Swindon?

06/10/2026

Thanks for a great weekend of chess at Swindon Rapid at the Polish Community Centre. A few good performances by Swindon Chess Club members, not least Sarah who was joint first in the Minor division. Well Done!