Where to find Chess and bridge in York and North Yorkshire: chess and bridge clubs, plus Go, mahjong and backgammon groups.
We list 12 venues where you can play or buy chess, bridge and other classic games across York and North Yorkshire, in 8 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 36 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. Two of the 12 are in York itself, and we list them first below.
The York Bridge Club plays face to face in its accessible clubhouse on The Green in Acomb, with sessions most days from hosted assisted play and gentle duplicate to championship pairs. It suits learners, improvers and experienced players, offers lessons and runs a free Youth Academy on Wednesdays.
York Chess Club meets every Wednesday from 7.30pm at Guppy's Enterprise Club on Nunnery Lane for social chess, club competitions and league matches, and newcomers are greeted on their first visit. A weekly junior club for ages 7 to 16 runs earlier on Wednesdays with coaching and games.
Scarborough and District Contract Bridge Club plays face to face duplicate bridge every weekday at its own premises on West Street, with a hosting system so anyone arriving without a partner is found one. It suits beginners through to experienced players, with courses, tutored improvers sessions and Next Steps events.
Ripon City Bridge Club plays friendly duplicate bridge at Community House on Allhallowgate on Wednesday evenings and hosted pairs on Friday afternoons, and visitors and new members are welcome. A relaxed Cafe Bridge morning runs on Tuesdays at the Claro Lounge Bar on the Market Place, with no partner needed.
Harrogate Chess Club, founded in 1884, meets on Monday evenings from 7.30pm at St Robert's Club on Robert Street, welcoming players of all ages and standards with internal competitions and league chess. A youth section for ages 12 to 18 meets there on Thursday evenings in term time with tuition.
Harrogate Victoria Bridge Club plays duplicate bridge at the Cedar Court Hotel on Park Parade on Thursday evenings and Friday afternoons, in a relaxed but competitive atmosphere with ample parking. New members are welcome to try three visits, and the club will help match players without a partner.
Scarborough Chess Club meets every Monday from 7.30pm to 10.30pm on the second floor of the Roscoe Rooms on Roscoe Street, with a club championship, handicap tournaments and friendly games. The first Monday of each month starts with a training and discussion session, and new members of all strengths are welcome.
Selby & Hambleton Bridge Club plays on Wednesday evenings at the village hall in Chapel Haddlesey and on Friday evenings at Hambleton Village Hall near Selby. Hambleton Village Hall also hosts Yorkshire League matches on Sundays.
Easingwold Bridge Club plays duplicate on Tuesday evenings from 7pm at the Galtres Centre, just off the Market Square, throughout the year. Non-members with partners are welcome to turn up on the night without arranging in advance.
Harrogate Bridge Club runs seven duplicate sessions a week at its own licensed premises on Robert Street in central Harrogate, mainly pairs with occasional teams and regular Swiss Pairs. It welcomes players of all standards and visiting pairs, offers classes for beginners and intermediates, and helps members find partners.
Settle Chess Club meets every Monday from 6pm at Settle Social Club on Duke Street, with chess sets and clocks provided and free parking behind the club. Everyone is welcome whatever their age and ability, and the club also plays Yorkshire League matches.
Thirsk Bridge Club meets on Tuesday evenings for competitive but friendly duplicate with machine dealt hands and tablet scoring, in accessible premises with ample parking. Visitors are always welcome to join in.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
The York Bridge Club, York. Standard match pointed pairs, duplicate
Settle Chess Club, Settle. Club night, casual games
The York Bridge Club, York. Improvers duplicate
Harrogate Chess Club, Harrogate. Club night, internal competitions and league matches
Scarborough Chess Club, Scarborough. Club night, club championship, handicap tournaments and casual games
Scarborough Chess Club, Scarborough. Training and discussion session, then informal games
Scarborough and District Contract Bridge Club, Scarborough. Duplicate club pairs
Scarborough and District Contract Bridge Club, Scarborough. Duplicate pairs
Ripon City Bridge Club, Ripon. Social bridge at the Claro Lounge Bar, Ripon Market Place, Chicago scoring, no partner needed
The York Bridge Club, York. Assisted play, hosted, non-competitive
The York Bridge Club, York. Match pointed pairs, duplicate
Easingwold Bridge Club, Easingwold. Duplicate pairs
The York Bridge Club, York. Relaxed duplicate, hosted, no partner required
The York Bridge Club, York. Championship duplicate, cross IMPs (weeks 1, 3, 5) and match pointed pairs (weeks 2, 4)
Scarborough and District Contract Bridge Club, Scarborough. Duplicate club pairs
The York Bridge Club, York. Assisted play, hosted, non-competitive
The York Bridge Club, York. Junior club, teaching then free play for younger and youth players
York Chess Club, York. Junior club, ages 7 to 16, coaching and social chess
York Chess Club, York. Club night, social chess, club competitions and league matches
Scarborough and District Contract Bridge Club, Scarborough. Assisted improvers duplicate
Selby & Hambleton Bridge Club, Selby. Duplicate bridge at Chapel Haddlesey Village Hall
The York Bridge Club, York. Standard match pointed pairs, duplicate
Harrogate Chess Club, Harrogate. Junior club, ages 12 to 18, tuition and games
Harrogate Victoria Bridge Club, Harrogate. Duplicate pairs
The York Bridge Club, York. Assisted play, hosted, non-competitive
The York Bridge Club, York. Improvers plus duplicate, hosted
Harrogate Bridge Club, Harrogate. Duplicate pairs
Scarborough and District Contract Bridge Club, Scarborough. Duplicate club pairs
The York Bridge Club, York. Gentle duplicate with simple systems, hosted
Ripon City Bridge Club, Ripon. Duplicate pairs, hosted (partner provided)
Harrogate Victoria Bridge Club, Harrogate. Duplicate pairs
Scarborough and District Contract Bridge Club, Scarborough. Duplicate pairs
Selby & Hambleton Bridge Club, Selby. Duplicate bridge at Hambleton Village Hall
The venues with the most regular nights are The York Bridge Club in York (13 nights), Scarborough and District Contract Bridge Club in Scarborough (6 nights) and Ripon City Bridge Club in Ripon (3 nights). We list 12 venues in all across York and North Yorkshire.
Mondays and Tuesdays have the most regular sessions. 34 sessions run every week. The York calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 18 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Harrogate Chess Club, Ripon City Bridge Club and Scarborough and District Contract Bridge Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Three regular nights are free to join. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
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