Where to find Chess and bridge in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 26 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset, in 12 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 41 regular sessions, most often on Mondays and Tuesdays. 18 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site. Eight of the 26 are in Bournemouth itself, and we list them first below.
Face to face duplicate bridge on Wednesday and Friday afternoons at St Ambrose Church Hall in Westbourne, starting soon after 13:45. Every session is hosted so single players get a game, and non members are welcome; suits players used to club duplicate.
Meets on Friday evenings at Tuckton Social Club, with a free junior session from 18:00 and club and match play from 19:15. Especially keen to welcome beginners, juniors with a parent and league players, and the first week is free.
Duplicate bridge at the WestCliff Hotel on Tuesday afternoons from 13:30 and Thursday evenings from 19:00. Visitors are welcome, and a host is usually provided on Tuesday afternoons for players without a partner.
Friendly club chess every Wednesday from 19:00 at Richmond Park Bowls Club in Winton. All levels are welcome, from complete beginners to league players, and the club also runs weekly junior sessions for ages 7 to 18.
Relaxed social chess on the first Monday of the month from 10:15 to 13:00 at Joy Cafe in Churchill Gardens, Boscombe. Suits anyone wanting an informal daytime game.
Drop in relaxed chess on Tuesday afternoons from 14:30 to 17:00 at Ludo Lounge in Southbourne, with equipment supplied by Southbourne Chess Club. All ages and skill levels are welcome, including people who want to learn.
Relaxed social chess on Friday mornings from 11:00 to 13:00 at The Crooked Book in Boscombe. Suits anyone wanting an informal game.
A free after school chess club for ages 8 to 13 at Tuckton Library on Mondays from 15:30 to 16:15 in term time. A friendly way for young players to challenge their friends; booking is required.
The bridge section of the East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club near Poole Harbour plays four sessions a week, from hosted soft duplicate on Monday evenings to Chicago with tuition on Friday afternoons. Improvers are well catered for, and non members may visit up to four times a year on Monday evenings or Friday afternoons.
Duplicate bridge at St Swithun's Church Hall on Wednesday evenings at 18:50 and on most Tuesday and Friday afternoons at 13:50, with refreshments provided. The Tuesday gentle pairs suits new players and returners after recent lessons.
Duplicate bridge at the Terraces in Sherborne on Monday afternoons from 14:00 and Tuesday evenings from 19:00, with a host system so you can turn up and be found a partner. A rubber bridge section also meets on Thursday afternoons at Sherborne Bowls Club from mid September to mid April.
Face to face pairs on Monday evenings at the Allendale Community Centre, 18:45 for 19:00, and hosted Social Duplicate on Wednesday afternoons at Wimborne Town Football Club. Beginners are well supported with courses each January, coaching and a free taster session.
A free Saturday morning club for 6 to 16 year olds in the upstairs room at Ferndown Library, with two one hour sessions from 10:00. Suits complete beginners through to improving club level juniors, and there is no need to book.
Meets at Greystones in Highcliffe on Mondays from 19:15 for club and league chess, with a more informal session on Tuesdays from 19:30. Welcomes new members of all standards.
Club pairs at the British Legion Hall on Monday evenings from 18:45 and Wednesday afternoons from 13:45. Visitors and new members are welcome; please email the secretary in advance.
Meets every Tuesday from 19:00 in the cafe at Redlands Sport and Community Centre, September to May, starting with a beginners and intermediate lesson. Suits newcomers and league players, with teams in three Dorset League divisions.
Meets every Thursday from September to May at the Colliton Club, 19:15 for 19:30. Players of all standards are welcome, with informal games, a club championship and teams in every Dorset League division.
Meets every Monday from 19:15 at the Poole Centenary Hall and Club, with free parking behind the club. Welcomes players of all levels, from social players to league teams in the B&DCL, Dorset League and 4NCL.
Meets on Monday evenings from September to April at Corfe Castle Village Hall, with matches starting at 19:30. Welcomes new members of all standards and plays in the B&DCL and Dorset League.
Relaxed social chess on Tuesday afternoons from 14:00 to 17:00 at PIP Cafe on Great Field in Poundbury. Suits anyone wanting an informal game over a drink.
Relaxed social chess on Tuesday evenings from 18:30 to 21:30 in the cafe at Rockburn Climbing Centre, Bridport. Suits anyone wanting an informal evening game.
Relaxed social chess on Friday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00 at the King's Head in Wimborne, run by Wimborne Chess Club. Suits anyone wanting an informal game over a drink.
Duplicate bridge on Wednesday evenings from 18:45 at the Church Hall in Manor Road, except the second Wednesday of the month. A friendly club where visitors and new members are welcome.
Duplicate pairs every Wednesday afternoon at the Brownsword Hall in Poundbury, 13:45 for 14:00. Members and visitors are all welcome, and help is offered to find a partner.
Meets on Wednesdays at 19:00 at Merley Community Centre outside the summer break, with drop ins welcome. A small friendly club with teams in the local rated leagues, suiting newcomers and seasoned players alike.
Relaxed chess for all ages at Wyke Regis Library on Mondays from 16:30 to 18:00. Juniors and adults play together, and it is a good first step towards Weymouth Chess Club.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Relaxed Chess at Joy Cafe, Bournemouth. Casual drop in chess
Sherborne Bridge Club, Sherborne. Duplicate pairs, hosted
Tuckton Library Chess Club, Bournemouth. Junior club, ages 8 to 13
Wyke Regis Library Chess Club, Weymouth. Casual chess, all ages
East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Bridge Section, Poole. Soft duplicate pairs, hosts available
Shaftesbury Bridge Club, Shaftesbury. Duplicate pairs
Allendale Bridge Club, Wimborne. Duplicate pairs at the Allendale Centre
Poole Chess Club, Poole. Club night, casual and league chess
Highcliffe Chess Club, Christchurch. Club night, league and casual chess
Purbeck Chess Club, Corfe Castle. Club night, league and casual chess
The Thursday Bridge Club, Bournemouth. Duplicate pairs, hosted
Bridport Bridge Club, Bridport. Duplicate pairs for new players and returners
Relaxed Chess at PIP Cafe, Dorchester. Casual drop in chess
East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Bridge Section, Poole. Chicago bridge for improvers
Relaxed Chess at Ludo Lounge, Bournemouth. Casual drop in chess
Relaxed Chess at Rockburn, Bridport. Casual drop in chess
Weymouth Chess Club, Weymouth. Informal tuition before club play
Weymouth Chess Club, Weymouth. Club night, casual and league chess
Sherborne Bridge Club, Sherborne. Duplicate pairs or teams
Highcliffe Chess Club, Christchurch. Informal chess
Allendale Bridge Club, Wimborne. Hosted social duplicate at Wimborne Town Football Club, partner found for you
Christchurch Bridge Club, Bournemouth. Duplicate pairs, hosted
Shaftesbury Bridge Club, Shaftesbury. Duplicate pairs
East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Bridge Section, Poole. Duplicate pairs, pre arranged partnerships
Bournemouth Chess Club, Bournemouth. Club night, casual and league chess
Wimborne Chess Club, Wimborne. Club night, casual and league chess
Sherborne Bridge Club, Sherborne. Rubber bridge at Sherborne Bowls Club, Culverhayes Car Park
The Thursday Bridge Club, Bournemouth. Duplicate pairs, no host
Dorchester Chess Club, Dorchester. Club night, casual and league chess
Relaxed Chess at the King's Head, Wimborne. Casual drop in chess
Relaxed Chess at The Crooked Book, Bournemouth. Casual drop in chess
Christchurch Bridge Club, Bournemouth. Duplicate pairs, hosted
Bridport Bridge Club, Bridport. Relaxed duplicate pairs
East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Bridge Section, Poole. Cut in Chicago with help on bidding and play; mini duplicate on 4th Friday
Southbourne Chess Club, Bournemouth. Junior club, ages about 7 to mid teens, free coaching
Southbourne Chess Club, Bournemouth. Club night, casual and league chess
Ferndown Junior Chess Club, Ferndown. Junior club, ages 6 to 16, lesson then games
Ferndown Junior Chess Club, Ferndown. Junior club, ages 6 to 16, lesson then games
The venues with the most regular nights are East Dorset Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Bridge Section in Poole (4 nights), Bridport Bridge Club in Bridport (3 nights) and Sherborne Bridge Club in Sherborne (3 nights). We list 26 venues in all across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset.
Mondays and Tuesdays have the most regular sessions. 40 sessions run every week. The Bournemouth calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 18 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Bournemouth Chess Club, Poole Chess Club and Southbourne Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Ten regular nights are free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £1 and £4. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
A free weekly email of what's on in your area: tournaments, pre-releases, launch events and new regular nights. Plus a monthly round-up of new shops, clubs and game releases.
