Barnet Knights Chess Club
Barnet Knights Chess Club offers chess coaching and competitive play for junior players in North London. Organised by Rob Willmoth.
Club Profile
Weekly Sessions:
The club meets on Mondays during school term, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm at Garden Suburb Junior School, Childs Way, London NW11 6XU. The structure of the weekly sessions is as follows:
- 5.30 – 6.00pm: Friendly games provide an opportunity for casual play.
- 6.00 – 6.30pm: Coaching is split into five ability groups: Beginners, Intermediate (rated 0-1140), Advanced (rated 1141-1440), Rated 1441-1674, and Rated 1675 and over. These are 30-minute sessions.
- 6.30 – 7.30pm: A competitive game rated with the English Chess Federation (ECF) is played. After nine rated games, players will receive an official ECF rating. Where possible, games are analysed by chess teachers or stronger players at the club.
Who can join:
Barnet Knights welcomes children aged 5 to 18 of all chess abilities, from those who are new to the game to experienced players.
How much does it cost:
The cost per visit is £15, with discounts available for termly advance payments (approximately £120 per term).
Competitive Opportunities:
Barnet Knights Chess Club offers opportunities for experienced members who meet the requirements to participate in leagues with longer time limits, including the Middlesex League, 4NCL, and Junior 4NCL.
Mission and Background:
Rob Willmoth, who took over the club in September 2011, has a clear mission: to recreate the strength of junior chess he remembers from his youth and to develop players who can achieve the highest levels in the game. The club aims to provide the atmosphere and training needed to retain players through their teenage years and create a forum for strong players to flourish. Parental support is considered important for achieving these goals, especially as children progress to secondary school.
Since 2011, the club has seen positive changes, and its members have achieved notable successes, including British Under 9 champions, National Schools champions, London Junior U9 1st and 2nd place, and Terafinal Ultimo winners. Members have also won Bronze medals in the European Schools Championship, and in 2013, five children qualified to represent England in the World Schools championships.
Alumni Achievements:
Barnet Knights Chess Club’s reputation suggests a history of nurturing talented players, including:
- Demis Hassabis, one of the co-founders of Google DeepMind
- Ethan Pang, a young chess prodigy, who achieved a FIDE rating of 2200, doing so at a tournament in Newmarket, Suffolk. This earned him the Candidate Master title.
- Ravi Haria: Born in Elstree, Hertfordshire, Ravi began playing chess at six and started his journey at Barnet Knights Chess Club. He achieved the title of Grandmaster in 2022.
- Joshua Altman: Joshua earned England’s top score in the World Schools 2012 in Romania. His titles include English Junior Rapidplay U8 Champion and Barnet Knights U8 Champion.
- Leo Sanitt: Leo was the U8 London Champion and the U8 and U9 Barnet Champion. He was also part of the winning team in the U9 National Primary School Championships.
Michael Uriely and Jacob Yoon: Both represented Barnet Knights and secured joint second place in their category at the 2015 British Chess Championships.
Contacts:
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 07956 297 329
Address: Garden Suburb Junior School, Childs Way, London NW11 6XU
Web site: https://barnetknights.com
All information provided on this website is gathered from publicly available sources, including the official websites and pages of individual clubs and organisations. While we aim to keep the content accurate and up to date, we cannot guarantee its completeness or reliability. We advise visitors to verify details directly with the respective clubs before making any decisions.
Reviews
Test
Good club, but sometimes too busy and a little loud. Good for starters, but after one year or so better to find a club with more focus and smaller groups.
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