Membership
​There are options that can be added to the Chess Club Membership which allow members to participate in competitive chess and/or allow use of the facilities at Lea Hall Social Club including discounted drinks at the bar.
Membership options
Chess Club Membership
(payable by all)
Adult - £10 per annum
Junior - £5 per annum
Membership fees are set at the AGM in May and are then due
Members joining after December will pay £5 (Adult) and £2.50 (Junior)
Those joining in March or April will pay the full fee but membership will include the following year
ECF Membership
To play in competitions where the games are graded such as the local leagues, it is necessary to have at least English Chess Federation Bronze membership
Adult - £21 per annum
Junior - £7.50 per annum (first year is free)
Lea Hall Social Club Membership
Adult - £15 per annum
Membership of Lea Hall Social Club entitles members to discounted drinks at the bar and the use of facilities such as snooker and pool tables
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Further explanation
Lea Hall Membership
Although not compulsory, there is an expectation that adult Chess Club members will join Lea Hall Social Club as the club room and storage is provided free of charge. This is generally no great hardship as the discounted drinks alone tend to offset the membership fee over the year and several members make use of the other facilities.
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English Chess Federation (ECF) membership
The ECF offers several grades of membership. Bronze membership is the basic grade and allows players to play in local leagues and tournaments where games are graded. The results of graded games are reported to the ECF and a registered player receives a grade based on their performance (which is determined by their results and the grades of their opponents). The grades are updated monthly.
Most Chess Club members are also ECF members and take part in the local leagues and our own internal competitions.
ECF membership can either be arranged through the Chess Club or directly with the ECF.
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Social Chess
If you are only interested in playing social chess, there is no need for ECF membership. However, should you subsequently wish to play competitive chess, ECF membership can be obtained at any time.
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Great Value!
It is worth noting that 'the full package', with ECF and Lea Hall memberships, is still less than £1 per week!