Where to find Chess and bridge in Hertfordshire, Luton and Bedfordshire: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 32 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Hertfordshire, Luton and Bedfordshire, in 22 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 35 regular sessions, most often on Mondays and Tuesdays. Ten of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site.
Hitchin Bridge Club plays face to face in the church hall of Our Lady's Church on Nightingale Road, with afternoon duplicate on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday evening duplicate, and supervised play for newer players on Monday evenings. Beginners' courses also run.
Harpenden Duplicate Bridge Club plays face to face duplicate on Monday evenings at the Golf Club and Friday afternoons at the Scout Hall in Kinsbourne Green. Open post mortem sessions for beginners and improvers run on Monday afternoons at the Harpenden Trust Centre.
St Albans Chess Club meets at The County Club near St Albans City station on Monday evenings for league chess and Thursday evenings for social chess and training. It welcomes players of all standards and runs the Early Knights junior club on Monday evenings in term time.
Letchworth Junior Chess and Go Club meets on Monday evenings at The Settlement on Nevells Road, with a junior section for ages 7 to 11 followed by a senior section for ages 11 to 17.
Leverstock Green Bridge Club plays on Wednesday evenings at Adeyfield Community Centre in Hemel Hempstead, with a main duplicate and a gentle duplicate for newer players. Visitors are welcome.
Watford Chess Club meets on Monday evenings at Field Junior School Annexe, with a junior session followed by adult club play. It suits players who already know the rules and want coaching, league and social chess; visits are arranged in advance.
Chess club meeting on Thursday evenings from 7.30pm at the North End Social Club, Roff Avenue, Bedford, with a car park alongside. New members are welcome, with five teams in the Bedfordshire League, club competitions and lighter summer events.
Berkhamsted Bridge Club is a friendly duplicate club meeting every Tuesday evening on the first floor of Berkhamsted Town Hall. New members are welcome.
Bishop's Stortford Chess Club meets every Thursday evening at the Methodist Church Hall on South Street. Visitors of all abilities are welcome, with three county league teams plus friendly games and club competitions.
Broxbourne Bridge Club plays face to face duplicate pairs on Tuesday afternoons at Broxbourne Sports Centre, which has a lift and accessible toilet. New members are welcome.
An informal monthly chess club at The Old Manor in Potters Bar for players of all levels, ideal for new and occasional players looking for a friendly game. Juniors come with a parent.
Harpenden and Rothamsted Chess Club meets on Monday evenings at Quakers House, a short walk from Harpenden station, for social and competitive chess. New players can try a few weeks before joining, and secondary school age juniors are welcome until 21:00.
Herts and Essex Bridge Club plays friendly duplicate pairs on Tuesday afternoons at Hatfield Heath Village Hall, near Bishop's Stortford. Single players are welcome.
Chess club meeting on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7.30pm at the Methodist Church Hall on North Street, Leighton Buzzard. It runs three teams in the Bedfordshire Chess League.
Leverstock Green Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs on Tuesday mornings at Leverstock Green Village Hall, near M1 junction 8. Visitors are welcome in a friendly setting.
Little Heath Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge on Tuesday evenings at the Parish Hall in Little Heath, Potters Bar.
Little Heath Chess Club is the chess club for Potters Bar and Brookmans Park, with several Herts League teams and a junior session on Thursday evenings.
Chess club meeting every Tuesday evening at the University of Bedfordshire library on St Ann's Road, Luton. It welcomes players of all ages and levels, from beginners to league players, and visitors can try a few nights before joining.
A Monday evening bridge club at the Wyllyotts Centre in Potters Bar.
OLOA Duplicate Bridge Club plays on Thursday afternoons at Our Lady and St Vincent Church on Mutton Lane, Potters Bar.
St Albans Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs every Monday evening at Jersey Farm Community Hall, with multiple teams on the second Monday of the month. Non-members are welcome and a reserve player system means you can come without a partner.
A Thursday morning bridge club at Little Heath Parish Hall playing Chicago bridge.
Watford and Bushey Bridge Club plays face to face at Sacred Heart Church Hall in Bushey, with an open Tuesday evening session offering duplicate and gentle duplicate sections. Visitors register online at least 24 hours ahead, and the club runs beginners and improvers courses.
Welwyn Hatfield Chess Club meets every Tuesday evening at Haldens Sports and Social Club in Welwyn Garden City. Players of any experience can just turn up for social games, and the club has several league teams.
Allenburys Chess Club plays at Allenburys Sports and Social Club in Ware and hosts Hertford and District league events.
Borehamwood Chess Club plays at Allum Lane Community Centre and takes part in Herts League chess.
Hemel Hempstead Chess Club holds its club nights at the Cotterells Club, with league matches played at Apsley Community Centre.
Hertford Chess Club plays at The Hertford Club on Bull Plain in Hertford town centre and fields several Herts League teams.
Hoddesdon Chess Club plays at Hoddesdon Methodist Church Hall on Middlefield Road and has a team in the Herts League.
Letchworth and Hitchin Chess Club plays at Letchworth Rugby Club on Baldock Road and has a team in the top division of the Herts League.
Royston Chess Club plays at Royston Town Hall on Melbourn Street and takes part in league chess in Hertfordshire.
Stevenage Chess Club plays at Stevenage United Reformed Church on Cuttys Lane and fields teams in the Herts League.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Hitchin Bridge Club, Hitchin. Duplicate pairs
Harpenden Duplicate Bridge Club, Harpenden. Post mortem session for beginners and improvers, open to all
Letchworth Junior Chess and Go Club, Letchworth Garden City. Junior club, ages 7 to 11, chess and Go
Watford Chess Club, Watford. Junior club with coaching, for juniors who already know the rules
St Albans Chess Club, St Albans. Junior club (Early Knights), term time
Letchworth Junior Chess and Go Club, Letchworth Garden City. Junior club, ages 11 to 17, chess and Go
Hitchin Bridge Club, Hitchin. Supervised play for less experienced players, no partner needed
Monday Evening Bridge Club, Wyllyotts Centre, Potters Bar. Bridge club evening
Watford Chess Club, Watford. Club night, coaching, league and social chess
St Albans Chess Club, St Albans. Club night, ECF rated league chess with a room for social play
Harpenden and Rothamsted Chess Club, Harpenden. Club night, social and competitive chess
St Albans Duplicate Bridge Club, St Albans. Duplicate pairs (multiple teams on the second Monday)
Harpenden Duplicate Bridge Club, Harpenden. Duplicate pairs
Leverstock Green Bridge Club, Hemel Hempstead. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards
Hitchin Bridge Club, Hitchin. Duplicate pairs
Broxbourne Bridge Club, Broxbourne. Duplicate pairs
Herts and Essex Bridge Club, Hatfield Heath. Duplicate pairs
Berkhamsted Bridge Club, Berkhamsted. Duplicate pairs
Little Heath Bridge Club, Potters Bar. Duplicate bridge
Luton Chess Club, Luton. Club night, casual, tournament and league chess
Leighton Buzzard Chess Club, Leighton Buzzard. Club night, casual and league chess
Welwyn Hatfield Chess Club, Welwyn Garden City. Club night, social and league chess
Watford and Bushey Bridge Club, Bushey. Duplicate pairs, with a gentle section
Hitchin Bridge Club, Hitchin. Restricted duplicate pairs, partnership NGS 16 or less
First Wednesday Chess Club, Potters Bar. Informal social chess
Leverstock Green Bridge Club, Hemel Hempstead. Duplicate pairs
Leverstock Green Bridge Club, Hemel Hempstead. Gentle duplicate for newer players
Thursday Morning Chicago Bridge, Potters Bar. Chicago (rubber style) bridge
OLOA Duplicate Bridge Club, Potters Bar. Duplicate bridge
Hitchin Bridge Club, Hitchin. Duplicate pairs
Bedford Chess Club, Bedford. Club night, casual, club competition and league chess
St Albans Chess Club, St Albans. Social chess, training and special events
Bishop's Stortford Chess Club, Bishop's Stortford. Club night, league and friendly chess
Harpenden Duplicate Bridge Club, Harpenden. Duplicate pairs
The venues with the most regular nights are Hitchin Bridge Club in Hitchin (5 nights), Harpenden Duplicate Bridge Club in Harpenden (3 nights) and St Albans Chess Club in St Albans (3 nights). We list 32 venues in all across Hertfordshire, Luton and Bedfordshire.
Mondays and Tuesdays have the most regular sessions. 33 sessions run every week. The Hertfordshire calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. Ten regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Luton Chess Club, St Albans Chess Club and Bishop's Stortford Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £3 and £25. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
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