Where to find Chess and bridge in Oxford and Oxfordshire: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 13 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across Oxford and Oxfordshire, in 10 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 27 regular sessions, most often on Thursdays and Mondays. 15 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site. Three of the 13 are in Oxford itself, and we list them first below.
Oxford Bridge Club runs face to face bridge at its clubhouse on Banbury Road six days a week, from duplicate pairs and gentle duplicate to Saturday social bridge and Thursday supervised play. Sessions are hosted so you can come without a partner, and visitors and learners are very welcome.
Oxford City Chess Club meets on Monday evenings from 7.30pm at the Oxford Bridge Club on Banbury Road, from September to June. Players of any age and strength are welcome for social games, with league teams for those who want competitive chess.
Cowley Chess Club meets every Monday evening from 7.15pm at Rose Hill Methodist Church in Oxford. New members of all strengths and ages are welcome, and stronger players help with informal coaching.
Wallingford Bridge Club plays face to face at Roke and Berrick Salome Village Hall several times a week, including gentle pairs on Mondays, supervised play and improvers' sessions on Tuesdays, and afternoon pairs on Thursdays and Fridays. No booking or partner is needed for most sessions, and beginners' classes run from September.
Bicester Ashton Chess Club meets on Thursday evenings from 7pm, alternating between the Ashton Club and Noughts and Nibbles in Bicester. The club also runs open and junior chess sessions at Bicester Library.
Bicester Bridge Club meets at Highfield Social Club on George Street for duplicate bridge on Monday evenings and relaxed afternoon bridge on Thursdays. Visitors are very welcome, a host is available for single players, and the Thursday session suits improvers and returners.
Abingdon Duplicate Bridge Club plays relaxed face to face pairs on Wednesday mornings at 9.45am at the Abingdon Health and Wellbeing Centre. A partner finder group helps players without a regular partner.
Banbury Chess Club holds social chess nights every Thursday from 7.30pm in the Parkside Suite at Whately Hall Hotel, Banbury. Seasoned players and newcomers alike are welcome, and the club fields teams in the Leamington and Oxfordshire leagues.
Cumnor Chess Club meets on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm at Cumnor Old School on the High Street, next to the post office. The club plays league chess and is open all year except August and the last two weeks of December.
Thame Bridge Club plays duplicate pairs on Monday evenings at 7pm in the Masonic Hall on Thame High Street. Players of all abilities are welcome and a visitor's first session is free.
Wantage Bridge Club holds relaxed face to face duplicate on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm in Hanney War Memorial Hall, East Hanney. There is no need to book, and beginners' and improvers' classes start each autumn.
Witney Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge every Wednesday at 7pm at Burwell Hall, Thorney Leys, with a tea break at half time. Players of all standards are welcome, and visitors can just turn up.
Witney Chess Club meets on Monday evenings from 7.30pm to 10.30pm at Ducklington Village Hall near Witney. Casual social players are welcome alongside four league teams, and the club also runs quiz nights and junior events.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Oxford Bridge Club, Oxford. Hybrid duplicate pairs (clubhouse and RealBridge)
Wallingford Bridge Club, Berrick Salome. Relaxed duplicate for players who know the basics
Thame Bridge Club, Thame. Duplicate pairs (teams first Monday)
Bicester Bridge Club, Bicester. Duplicate pairs, 24 boards
Cowley Chess Club, Oxford. Club night and league matches with informal coaching
Oxford City Chess Club, Oxford. Social games, training and simuls
Witney Chess Club, Ducklington. Social chess and league matches
Oxford Bridge Club, Oxford. Gentle duplicate pairs
Wallingford Bridge Club, Berrick Salome. Supervised play with short talks
Wallingford Bridge Club, Berrick Salome. Duplicate pairs with improvers section
Abingdon Duplicate Bridge Club, Abingdon. Relaxed duplicate pairs
Wantage Bridge Club, East Hanney. Relaxed duplicate pairs
Bicester Ashton Chess Club, Bicester. Junior club
Witney Bridge Club, Witney. Duplicate pairs
Oxford Bridge Club, Oxford. Duplicate pairs (teams on 1st Wednesday)
Oxford City Chess Club, Oxford. Oxfordshire League home matches
Wallingford Bridge Club, Berrick Salome. Duplicate pairs
Bicester Bridge Club, Bicester. Relaxed bridge with help for improvers
Bicester Ashton Chess Club, Bicester. Open chess session
Bicester Ashton Chess Club, Bicester. Club night, tournament and league matches
Cumnor Chess Club, Cumnor. Club night and league matches (fixtures 19:30)
Oxford Bridge Club, Oxford. Gentle duplicate pairs
Oxford Bridge Club, Oxford. Supervised play for learners and improvers
Banbury Chess Club, Banbury. Social chess and league matches
Oxford Bridge Club, Oxford. Hybrid duplicate pairs (clubhouse and RealBridge)
Wallingford Bridge Club, Berrick Salome. Duplicate pairs
Oxford Bridge Club, Oxford. Relaxed social bridge
The venues with the most regular nights are Oxford Bridge Club in Oxford (7 nights), Wallingford Bridge Club in Berrick Salome (5 nights) and Bicester Ashton Chess Club in Bicester (3 nights). We list 13 venues in all across Oxford and Oxfordshire.
Thursdays and Mondays have the most regular sessions. 27 sessions run every week. The Oxford calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 15 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Banbury Chess Club, Bicester Ashton Chess Club and Bicester Bridge Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
One regular night is free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £2.50 and £50. 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.
