About

Over the years, Hertford Chess Club has played at a number of venues in Hertford including Shire Hall, the Dimsdale Arms and the former Territorial Army centre in St Andrew Street. In 1986, the club unfortunately had to close due to rising costs and a dwindling membership. But in 1992, the club was able to re-establish itself thanks to a concerted effort by local chess players including former members of the club. With the help of Hertford and Stortford MP, Bowen Wells, a new venue was found at the Hertford Club in Bull Plain, a place the chess club has called home ever since.

Once established at the Hertford Club, the chess club quickly attracted new players and was soon running several teams and winning against the other chess clubs in Hertfordshire. In 1995, Hertford won the Division 1 league, a feat they repeated for the next 6 years in a row. Although that winning spell in the league came to an end, Hertford then went on to win the Russell Trophy, the premier cup competition, 8 times in a row from 2005 to 2012. The achievements in more recent times have been more sporadic, but we continue to thrive as a club with a solid membership of about 35 players. We run multiple teams of all strengths competing against the other 15 chess clubs in Hertfordshire and we also play online in the top divisions of the 4NCL national competition. For those not playing in the competitions, the Hertford Club kindly allows us to play friendly chess downstairs in the bar area on club nights.

The club venue is unique in offering facilities for both serious and social chess, and we are always looking for new players. Why not give us a try?