As a female chess player, I started the London Women Chess Club because I saw how few women were represented in competitive chess - and how many felt isolated or intimidated by traditional clubs. I wanted to create something different: a space where women and girls could learn the game at their own pace, grow in confidence, and build lasting friendships.
We began with a few regulars, some boards, and the kindness of local venues who believed in our mission. Now, we have over 100 members on our Whatsapp group and continue to welcome new joiners every week - many inspired by Beth Harmon from The Queen's Gambit show! We meet for social chess games and informal peer coaching every Saturday afternoon, 2-6pm at Old Diorama Arts Centre.
We've hosted FIDE-rated tournaments, community events, club matches, and beginner-friendly coaching sessions. What makes our club special isn’t just the chess. It’s the atmosphere of encouragement, respect, and community.
Our members range from absolute beginners to competitive players, from teenagers to grandmothers. Many of them had never played in a tournament before joining us. Some are now entering national leagues and rating lists. That transformation - quiet confidence built move by move, is what this club is all about.
But to keep going, we need support. Venue hire, equipment, coaching, outreach, it all adds up. Your donation helps us continue creating a safe and empowering chess environment for women and girls in London. If you believe in equal access to opportunity, in community over (or alongside!) competition, and in the power of chess to change lives, please support us.
We are a registered Community Interest Company, which is a not-for-profit organisation, and we are volunteer-led, so all donations will go towards the running of the club.
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Some things our members have said about London Women Chess Club:
👩🏾🦱"It was such an inclusive, supportive, engaging and most of all fun session for a newbie."
👱🏼♀️"Just wanted to say thanks so much for welcoming me for the first time on Saturday. I had a great time and will be back! Probably next Saturday… 🙂"
👩👦"I have only started trying to play in the last few months and I am loving it, even a bit obsessed, and think it is really good for my aging brain. It would be so nice if there were a few more of us [mums] playing. After spending a lot of time sitting at tournaments with my son, whiling away the hours, I was tempted to give it a go."
👩🏽🦰"Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to play tonight! 🥰First time playing a standard official game. The kid had to even show me how to use the clock haha! I was thrown off a bit in the beginning annotating/moving/clock pushing, but then got into the rhythm of it. There is honestly no feeling like it, being lost in deep thought during a chess game!"
👧🏽"This group is amazing! You're doing a fantastic job of empowering and encouraging girls and women. Thanks for your support, LWCC organizers 🙏"