What does it cost?

For the fully engaged chess participant, what are the possible costs of being fully involved at Chandler’s Ford Chess Club?

Well, there is membership of the Chess Club itself. Then there is membership of the Chandler’s Ford Central Club venue where we meet, and there is English Chess Federation membership to enjoy recognised grading of your competitive chess games (whether internal tournaments or playing in one of our League teams).

Chess king and chocolate coins on chessboard.
At only £24 a year, Chandler’s Ford Chess Club membership doesn’t cost a king’s ransom…

Chandler’s Ford Chess Club

Once you have been along to a few Tuesday evenings you may decide to join Chandler’s Ford Chess Club. The chess club membership is £24 per year September – August – just two pounds a month! The subscriptions are used to buy chess sets, chess clocks, scoresheets, plus other costs including website costs.

Chandler’s Ford Central Club (the venue) 2024

Chandler's Ford Central Club membership card with choc coins on chess board
Chandler’s Ford Central Club membership card

We meet at the Chandler’s Ford Central Club. See their Join Us section of their website for more information. Being a member of the venue will enable easy access to the place, such as door entry, and registering your car registration, and access to the club’s facilities and events. Facilities include:

  • A well stocked bar including cheap beer prices
  • Various Bar Snacks
  • TASSIMO COFFEE
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Food: toasties (ham, cheese)

Membership runs January to December.

MEMBERSHIP: New£38.75 | Senior Citizen: £27.25 | Renewal (2024)£20 (£23.50 with Club and Institute Union pass card); £8.50 OAP (£12 with CIU pass card).

The English Chess Federation 2022-2023

Chocolate coins and chess pieces on chessboard.
ECF membership has various levels – Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum.

Finally, once you decide you would like to play competitive chess with us – participating in our internal tournaments, playing in one of our teams in the Southampton Chess League, and even playing in weekend tournaments (‘Congresses’) elsewhere, you will need to join the English Chess Federation. There are different levels of membership.

ECF Membership Levels, and prices for 2022-2023

  • Supporter 10) for access to ECF online members clubs and events on Chess.com and lichess.org.
  • Queen’s Gambit Scheme Supporter (free) available to women aged 18 and over who have not been members of the ECF before, for their first membership year.
  • Bronze18, or £6 for Juniors) grants you ECF rating of results in club tournaments and local League games, county championships.
  • Silver27, or £6 for Juniors): as per Bronze plus grading for Congress games (excluding FIDE-rated standard play tournaments).
  • Gold 39, or £19.50 for Juniors): as per Silver, plus FIDE-rated standard-play tournaments.
  • Platinum 75). As per Gold, plus extra discounts on some partners, see ECF website Page

See the ECF website page Membership rates & joining details. ECF Membership runs from 1st September to 31st August. Most of Chandler’s Ford Chess Club players are Bronze or Silver ECF members.