Where to find Chess and bridge in Cardiff and South Wales: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 39 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Cardiff and South Wales, in 30 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 68 regular sessions, most often on Tuesdays and Mondays. 29 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site. Seven of the 39 are in Cardiff itself, and we list them first below.
Cardiff Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge at the Penylan Club on Marlborough Road from Monday to Friday, with afternoon, evening and Friday morning sessions. It suits everyone from beginners on its supported play and lesson pathway to league and congress players.
Rhiwbina Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge at Rhiwbina Memorial Hall on Monday and Friday afternoons and Wednesday and Thursday evenings. It welcomes improvers coming from local classes and runs beginners' courses.
St Fagans Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge at St Fagans Village Hall on Monday and Thursday afternoons and Wednesday evenings.
Cardiff Chess Club meets on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at the YMCA Community Centre on Shakespeare Street, Roath. A long established club that suits league players and club regulars alike.
Lisvane Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge in the main hall of Lisvane Community Centre on Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons. Players need to bring a partner or use the club's find a partner page.
North Cardiff Chess Club meets every Tuesday at Rhiwbina Recreation Club, with junior coaching from 6pm and club matches from 7.30pm. All levels are welcome and equipment is provided, so it suits juniors, beginners and league players.
A free drop-in chess club at Llanishen Hub every Monday afternoon from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. All ages are welcome, from complete beginners learning the moves to experienced players looking for a match.
Gwent Bridge Academy in Clayton Street, Newport, is a large club with duplicate bridge most afternoons and evenings from Monday to Friday. It runs beginners' lessons and a Thursday afternoon help with play session open to non-members.
Swansea Bridge Club, the oldest bridge club in Wales, plays at its own premises in St James' Gardens, Uplands, on Monday afternoons, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings. It runs a no fear session and courses for beginners and improvers.
Barrivale Bridge Club meets at the Cemetery Approach Community Centre in Barry for a Tuesday club night plus Thursday and Friday daytime sessions for beginners and improvers. Visitors of all standards are welcome.
Monmouth Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Monday and Thursday evenings at Mitchel Troy Village Hall, near Monmouth, and runs No Fear Bridge on Wednesday afternoons for newer players. Visitors are welcome and should register the day before.
Sully Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs at the Old School Hall on South Road, Sully, on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and Saturday evenings. Visitors are always welcome, with free tea, coffee and biscuits.
Mid Glam Bridge Club plays at Pontyclun Community Centre, with a duplicate pairs afternoon on Wednesdays and an assisted play morning on Tuesdays for learners and improvers. Hosts and a liaison officer help players find a partner.
Pembrokeshire Chess Club meets weekly at Kensington Court in Steynton, with junior sessions every Tuesday from 5.30pm followed by play for more experienced juniors and adults. A family friendly club for casual players and those aiming at league and tournament chess.
Abergavenny Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs every Thursday evening at Abergavenny Community Centre, close to the town centre. New pairs are always welcome.
Ammanford Chess Club meets on Tuesday nights at Ammanford Rugby Club on Manor Road. Newcomers are welcome to drop in for a friendly game, and the club's Amman Boars team plays in the West Wales Championship League, a good first step into league chess.
Brecon Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs on Tuesday afternoons at Barn@Brynich, just east of Brecon. Visitors are always welcome, and the club can help find a partner.
Bridgend Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Friday afternoons at the Williams Memorial Hall in Coychurch. Visitors and new members are always welcome, and the club can help find a partner.
Carmarthen Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge every Tuesday evening at Quins Rugby Football Club on Morfa Lane. Players of all standards are welcome, and the club runs a host system for those without a partner.
Carmarthen Chess Club holds its club night on Mondays at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel on Spilman Street. Visitors of any standard are welcome, and the club fields a team in the West Wales league.
Castell Nedd Chess Club meets on Tuesday evenings at St Catwgs Church Hall in Cadoxton, Neath. Visitors are welcome free of charge with no grade needed, and the club has an active junior section and several league teams.
Chepstow Archway Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge every Monday evening at The Chepstow Club on Moor Street. It offers a warm welcome to new members of any standard, including recent learners.
Crickhowell Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs on Monday evenings at the Sports Pavilion on Beaufort Street, with a prompt 6.45pm start.
Cwmbran Chess Club meets on Tuesday evenings from 7pm to 9pm at Llanyrafon Methodist Church. Newcomers who know how the pieces move are welcome, and the club also plays in the Gwent leagues.
Haverfordwest Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs on Monday afternoons at Uzmaston Village Hall, just outside Haverfordwest. All visitors are welcome.
Merlin Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs every Thursday afternoon at the Services Club on Quay Street, Haverfordwest.
Morriston Chess Club meets on Wednesday nights at Morriston RFC clubhouse in Cwmrhydyceirw, with a second club night on Fridays in Glais. One of the largest clubs in the West Wales league, with teams for every standard and free visits for newcomers.
Morriston Chess Club's Friday night meets at the Senior Citizen Pavilion on Birchgrove Road, Glais. It is home to the club's Division Two and Championship League teams, so it suits newer and developing players.
Narberth Chess Club meets every Thursday from 7pm to 9pm at Grace Court House on Market Square. Suits players looking for a regular weekly game in Pembrokeshire.
Noah's Yard Chess Club meets on Tuesday evenings at Noah's Yard on Uplands Crescent, Swansea. Newcomers of any standard can drop in for a friendly game, and the club runs two West Wales league teams.
Pembroke Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs on Tuesday afternoons at Lamphey Village Hall, near Pembroke.
Penally Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Monday afternoons at Penally Village Hall, near Tenby, from 1.30pm. Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are provided.
Penarth Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Friday evenings at All Saints Church Hall on Victoria Square. New members and visitors of all standards are welcome.
Rest Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge every Tuesday afternoon at St Davids Church Hall in Laleston, with play from 1.45pm. All are welcome, and the club offers a partner finder.
Tenby Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs every Tuesday afternoon at Kilgetty Community Centre, with play starting at 1.30pm. All are welcome.
Upper Killay Chess Club meets on Wednesday evenings at Upper Killay Community Hall on Gower Road. Players of every standard are welcome to visit, with three teams in the West Wales league.
Vale of Glamorgan Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Monday afternoons in Cowbridge, starting promptly at 1.30pm. Players bring their own partner, and the club's liaison officer can help find one.
White Knights Chess Club meets on Thursday nights at the Conservative Club on Cowell Street, Llanelli. Visitors of every standard are welcome free of charge, and with six league teams there are games for beginners through to Division One players.
Llanelli Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge at Llanelli Cricket Club, off Denham Avenue, with a licensed bar and free parking. Visitors are welcome and are asked to phone the secretary in advance.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Rhiwbina Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs
St Fagans Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs
Cardiff Bridge Club, Cardiff. Social duplicate bridge with a host, home made cakes
Vale of Glamorgan Bridge Club, Cowbridge. Duplicate pairs, partner needed
Swansea Bridge Club, Swansea. Informal no fear session for newer players, help available
Haverfordwest Bridge Club, Uzmaston, Haverfordwest. Duplicate pairs
Penally Bridge Club, Penally. Duplicate pairs
Sully Bridge Club, Sully. Duplicate pairs
Chess Club at Llanishen Hub, Cardiff. Drop-in chess, teaching for beginners to match play, all ages
Monmouth Bridge Club, Mitchel Troy, Monmouth. Duplicate pairs
Chepstow Archway Bridge Club, Chepstow. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards
Crickhowell Bridge Club, Crickhowell. Duplicate pairs
Lisvane Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs, partner needed
Gwent Bridge Academy, Newport. Duplicate pairs
Carmarthen Chess Club, Carmarthen. Club night, casual and league chess
Mid Glam Bridge Club, Pontyclun. Assisted play, ask questions before bidding
Swansea Bridge Club, Swansea. Duplicate pairs, masterpoints
Pembroke Bridge Club, Lamphey, Pembroke. Duplicate pairs
Gwent Bridge Academy, Newport. Duplicate pairs
Tenby Bridge Club, Kilgetty. Duplicate pairs
Rest Bridge Club, Laleston, Bridgend. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards
Brecon Bridge Club, Brecon. Duplicate pairs
Pembrokeshire Chess Club, Steynton, Milford Haven. Junior club session
North Cardiff Chess Club, Cardiff. Junior coaching session
Carmarthen Bridge Club, Carmarthen. Duplicate pairs with host system
Pembrokeshire Chess Club, Steynton, Milford Haven. Club night for experienced juniors and adults
Cwmbran Chess Club, Cwmbran. Club night, casual and league chess
Cardiff Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs
North Cardiff Chess Club, Cardiff. Club night, club and league matches
Cardiff Chess Club, Cardiff. Club night, casual and league chess
Castell Nedd Chess Club, Neath. Club night, casual and league chess, juniors welcome
Noah's Yard Chess Club, Swansea. Club night, casual and league chess
Ammanford Chess Club, Ammanford. Club night, casual and league chess
Lisvane Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs, partner needed
Swansea Bridge Club, Swansea. Duplicate pairs with a host, about 16 boards
Mid Glam Bridge Club, Pontyclun. Duplicate pairs, host available
Cardiff Bridge Club, Cardiff. Supported play, 16 to 20 boards with help available
Monmouth Bridge Club, Mitchel Troy, Monmouth. Relaxed No Fear Bridge, refreshments included
Sully Bridge Club, Sully. Duplicate pairs
Cardiff Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs (also run on RealBridge)
Rhiwbina Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs
St Fagans Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs
Gwent Bridge Academy, Newport. Duplicate pairs
Cardiff Chess Club, Cardiff. Club night, casual and league chess
Morriston Chess Club, Morriston, Swansea. Club night, casual and league chess
Upper Killay Chess Club, Upper Killay, Swansea. Club night, casual and league chess
St Fagans Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs
Barrivale Bridge Club, Barry. Beginners from 1pm, improvers from 1.30pm
Gwent Bridge Academy, Newport. Duplicate with help on bidding and play, partner always available
Cardiff Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs with a host, all standards
Merlin Bridge Club, Haverfordwest. Duplicate pairs
Monmouth Bridge Club, Mitchel Troy, Monmouth. Duplicate pairs
Narberth Chess Club, Narberth. Club night, casual chess
Rhiwbina Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs
Gwent Bridge Academy, Newport. Duplicate pairs, listed by WBU as a beginners session
Abergavenny Bridge Club, Abergavenny. Duplicate pairs
Swansea Bridge Club, Swansea. Duplicate pairs with a host, 24 boards
White Knights Chess Club, Llanelli. Club night, casual and league chess
Cardiff Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs with a host and a short bridge talk
Barrivale Bridge Club, Barry. Improvers and beginners session
Swansea Bridge Club, Swansea. Teams competition, beginners to experts
Gwent Bridge Academy, Newport. Duplicate pairs
Rhiwbina Bridge Club, Cardiff. Duplicate pairs
Bridgend Duplicate Bridge Club, Coychurch, Bridgend. Duplicate pairs
Penarth Bridge Club, Penarth. Duplicate pairs
Morriston Chess Club (Glais Friday night), Glais, Swansea. Club night, casual and league chess
Sully Bridge Club, Sully. Duplicate pairs
The venues with the most regular nights are Cardiff Bridge Club in Cardiff (6 nights), Gwent Bridge Academy in Newport (6 nights) and Swansea Bridge Club in Swansea (5 nights). We list 39 venues in all across Cardiff and South Wales.
Tuesdays and Mondays have the most regular sessions. 67 sessions run every week. The Cardiff calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 29 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at North Cardiff Chess Club, Chess Club at Llanishen Hub and Cwmbran Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Eight regular nights are free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £2 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.
