Where to find Chess and bridge in Greater Manchester: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 34 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Greater Manchester, in 17 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 71 regular sessions, most often on Mondays and Tuesdays. 33 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site.
A busy bridge club in Fallowfield with duplicate pairs on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings, plus supervised sessions for beginners and improvers through the week. Partners can be found for supervised sessions and newcomers are welcome.
A large club at Bramhall Village Club with face-to-face duplicate on Monday afternoons and Tuesday and Friday evenings, a relaxed duplicate on Tuesday afternoons and supervised play on Thursday afternoons. Newcomers are well catered for with classes, seminars and a newcomers league.
Trafford and Sale Bridge Clubs share Cadman House in Sale, with evening duplicate pairs on Mondays and Wednesdays, supervised play on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and a monthly Saturday social evening. Visitors are welcome and beginners lessons run in terms.
Ashton Bridge Club welcomes players of all standards to face-to-face duplicate on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings, with an improvers session on Tuesdays and beginners lessons on Friday mornings.
Bolton Bridge Club has its own premises on Chorley Old Road with face-to-face duplicate on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, plus assisted play on Monday afternoons. Players of all standards are welcome and there are lessons for beginners.
Wigan Bridge Club plays duplicate on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with friendlier duplicate sessions on Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoons. A standby player is usually available for those without a partner.
Duplicate bridge on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at St Peter's in Hale, with coaching sessions for improvers on Wednesday afternoons. Guests are welcome with a partner and there is onsite parking and level access.
One of the largest clubs in the region, meeting at Victoria Hall in central Bolton on Monday evenings, with a junior session before the adult club night and senior team matches on Thursdays. Open to players of any age or ability.
Club meeting at Hopwood Sports Club on Manchester Road, Heywood, close to junction 19 of the M62, with an early evening slot for under-18s before adult chess and team matches. Members range from novice to experienced.
A friendly club on Derbyshire Lane with duplicate bridge on Sunday and Tuesday afternoons and a Friday afternoon session for newer and returning players. Partners can often be found with notice.
Duplicate bridge on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Our Lady of Grace Church in Prestwich, entered from Highfield Road. Visitors and new members are welcome and a host system helps players without a partner.
A friendly evening of bridge at Heald Green Village Hall on Tuesdays, open to experienced players and complete beginners alike. The club also plays on Thursday evenings.
A sociable weekly backgammon club at the Moor Club in Heaton Moor every Tuesday evening, welcoming everyone from beginners to champions. The first Tuesday of the month features a shorter cubeless format suited to newer players.
The Children's Chess Club of Oldham meets on Thursday evenings at St Edward's Parish Hall in Lees, with coaching groups by level and games for young players who already know the moves. Players of any age are accepted, and its teams lead the Manchester League.
Chess club meeting on Monday evenings in the club room at Timperley Village Club on Stockport Road, with Manchester League teams. A ramp gives wheelchair access and there is a kitchen area for waiting or analysis.
Community chess club meeting every Wednesday, including school holidays, at Broadoak & Smallshaw Community Centre, with coaching and friendly competitive games for all ages and abilities. Its adult and junior teams play in the Manchester and Stockport leagues.
Club meeting every Monday from 7.30pm, all year round, at the Atherton Arms on Tyldesley Road, serving players from Atherton, Leigh, Tyldesley and Westhoughton. Players of all standards, including juniors, are welcome, and teams play in four leagues.
Chess club meeting on Monday evenings at the Blue Club on Victoria Street, Chadderton, with teams in the Manchester, Stockport, Bury & Rochdale, Central Lancashire and summer leagues. Juniors with a basic knowledge of the game are welcome, and there is a bar downstairs.
Duplicate bridge every Friday afternoon in the pavilion at Brabyns Park, at the end of the lane from the main car park. New members are welcome and help with finding a partner is offered.
Chess club meeting on Tuesday evenings at Bury Sports Club on Radcliffe Road, just off the A56. The venue suits juniors and parents, and teams play in the Manchester League.
Monthly blitz chess evening on the first Monday of the month at Cheadle Drill Hall on Brook Road. Suits players who enjoy fast games.
Free social chess every Monday evening at Zouk Tea Bar & Grill on Chester Street in Manchester city centre. A relaxed setting for casual games.
A small, friendly club playing duplicate bridge every Thursday evening in the Unitarian Church Hall on Wilbraham Road. All standards are welcome.
Chess club meeting on Tuesday evenings in the basement room of the Spread Eagle on Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, a short walk from Chorlton Metrolink. It runs six teams in the Manchester League, so suits league and improving players.
Friendly club meeting on Wednesday evenings from September to May at the Cheadle Hulme Institute, with teams in all three divisions of the Stockport League. Players of all abilities, young and old, are welcome.
Easy-paced duplicate bridge on Tuesday mornings in Bramhall, hosted each week so no partner is needed.
Small, friendly club meeting every Thursday evening at the Navigation Inn in Marple, with a member on hand to greet newcomers and free basic tuition for new or rusty players. Teams play in the Stockport, Manchester and summer leagues.
Duplicate bridge every Wednesday evening at Marple Methodist Church, with parking nearby on Chadwick Street. Visitors are always welcome and the club can help find a partner with notice.
A friendly Monday morning improvers session at Bramhall Village Club, often with a short lesson before duplicate play. New members and visitors are welcome and a partner can always be found.
Friendly chess club meeting on Monday evenings at Northenden Social Club on Palatine Road, with social, blitz, rapid and league chess. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome.
Friendly competitive duplicate pairs on Friday mornings in Bramhall, with a host available so players can come without a partner. New players are welcome.
A friendly bridge club meeting every Friday afternoon at the Tame Valley Squash and Tennis Club in Greenfield, with social events through the year. Everyone is welcome.
Long-established club meeting every Tuesday from 7.30pm upstairs at the Ladybrook Hotel in Bramhall, with friendly games every week and teams in three local leagues. New players can drop in and try it free; juniors attend with a parent or guardian on site.
Local club playing social and league chess on Thursday evenings at Urmston Sports Club on Moorside Road. Open to people of all ages and abilities, from those just starting out to keen match players.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
MBH Bridge Club, Bramhall. Improvers duplicate with short lesson
Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Centre, Bramhall. Seminar with play for newcomers and non-experts
The Manchester Bridge Club, Manchester. Supervised play for improvers
Ashton & District Bridge Club, Ashton-under-Lyne. Duplicate pairs
Bolton Bridge Club, Bolton. Assisted play for less experienced players
Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Centre, Bramhall. Duplicate pairs
Bolton Chess Club, Bolton. Junior chess session
Heywood Chess Club, Heywood. Junior chess for under-18s
Northenden Chess Club, Manchester. Club night: social and league chess, all ages and abilities
Chess & Chai at Zouk, Manchester. Social chess, free to play
The Manchester Bridge Club, Manchester. Supervised play for beginners
Bolton Bridge Club, Bolton. Duplicate pairs
Wigan Bridge Club, Wigan. Friendly duplicate pairs, standby available
Trafford Bridge Club, Sale. Duplicate pairs
Altrincham & Hale Chess Club, Altrincham. Club night: league matches and club chess
Bolton Chess Club, Bolton. Club night: social chess and lower-team league matches
Atherton Chess Club, Atherton. Club night: social and league chess
Heywood Chess Club, Heywood. Club night: adult chess, team matches and club championship
Blue Club Chess Club, Oldham. Club night: league matches and club chess
The Manchester Bridge Club, Manchester. Duplicate pairs
Trafford Bridge Club, Sale. Supervised duplicate
J.U.S.T. Bridge Club, Bramhall. Easy duplicate pairs, hosted
Ashton & District Bridge Club, Ashton-under-Lyne. Improvers session
Bolton Bridge Club, Bolton. Duplicate pairs
Stretford Bridge Club, Manchester. Duplicate pairs
Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Centre, Bramhall. Relaxed duplicate pairs
The Manchester Bridge Club, Manchester. Supervised play, all levels
Manchester Backgammon Club, Stockport. Club night: knockout backgammon tournaments, all levels
Besses o'th Barn Bridge Club, Prestwich. Duplicate pairs
Wigan Bridge Club, Wigan. Duplicate pairs, standby available
Chorlton Chess Club, Manchester. Club night: league matches and social chess
Stockport Chess Club, Stockport. Club night: friendly games and league matches
Bury Chess Club, Bury. Club night: league matches and club chess
Altrincham Bridge Club, Altrincham. Duplicate pairs
Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Centre, Bramhall. Duplicate pairs
Heald Green Bridge Club, Stockport. Social bridge, all levels including beginners
The Manchester Bridge Club, Manchester. Duplicate pairs
Trafford Bridge Club, Sale. Supervised duplicate
The Manchester Bridge Club, Manchester. Supervised play for improvers
Ashton & District Bridge Club, Ashton-under-Lyne. Duplicate pairs
Wigan Bridge Club, Wigan. Friendly duplicate pairs, standby available
The Manchester Bridge Club, Manchester. Supervised play for beginners
Altrincham Bridge Club, Altrincham. Coaching session for improvers, no partner needed
Ashton Community Chess Club, Ashton-under-Lyne. Club night: coaching and friendly games, all ages and levels
Heywood Chess Club, Heywood. League match night
Bolton Bridge Club, Bolton. Duplicate pairs
Trafford Bridge Club, Sale. Duplicate pairs
East Cheshire Chess Club, Cheadle. Club night: club competitions and Stockport League matches
Marple Duplicate Bridge Club, Marple. Duplicate pairs
The Manchester Bridge Club, Manchester. Duplicate pairs
Ashton & District Bridge Club, Ashton-under-Lyne. Duplicate pairs
Bolton Bridge Club, Bolton. Duplicate pairs
Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Centre, Bramhall. Supervised play
3Cs Chess Club, Oldham. Junior-focused club night with coaching groups and games; players need to know how the pieces move
Besses o'th Barn Bridge Club, Prestwich. Duplicate pairs
Wigan Bridge Club, Wigan. Duplicate pairs, standby available
Marple & District Chess Club, Stockport. Club night: social games, club tournaments and league matches
Urmston Chess Club, Manchester. Club night: social and league chess
Bolton Chess Club, Bolton. League matches for the 1st to 3rd teams
Chorlton Bridge Club, Manchester. Duplicate pairs, all standards
Trafford Bridge Club, Sale. Bridge lessons for improving players
Altrincham Bridge Club, Altrincham. Duplicate pairs
Heald Green Bridge Club, Stockport. Duplicate bridge
P & J Bridge, Bramhall. Duplicate pairs, host available
Ashton & District Bridge Club, Ashton-under-Lyne. Bridge lessons for beginners
Saddleworth Grand Slam Bridge Club, Greenfield. Duplicate pairs
Stretford Bridge Club, Manchester. Supervised play for newer and returning players
Brabyns Bridge Club, Marple Bridge. Duplicate pairs
Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Centre, Bramhall. Duplicate pairs
Trafford Bridge Club, Sale. Social bridge evening
Stretford Bridge Club, Manchester. Duplicate pairs
The venues with the most regular nights are The Manchester Bridge Club in Manchester (8 nights), Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Centre in Bramhall (6 nights) and Trafford Bridge Club in Sale (6 nights). We list 34 venues in all across Greater Manchester.
Mondays and Tuesdays have the most regular sessions. 69 sessions run every week. The Manchester calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 33 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Northenden Chess Club, Stockport Chess Club and East Cheshire Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Four regular nights are free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £3 and £6. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
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