Joining a chess club

I'm thinking about joining a chess club. Apparently there's a respected teacher and FIDE Master at a club about 20 minutes from my house, so I think I'm going to investigate that club further.

What should one look for in a club?

It must have a chess set.

Even better when it has several chess sets!

Originally posted by greenpawn34
It must have a chess set.

Lol, good point. 🙂

There are actually 3 or more clubs within 20 minutes of my house, I'm wondering if there are any danger signs I should be looking for, like a FM who keeps shouting "sweep the leg!!!". 😀

I s'pose the best thing to do is just try one or all of them, and leave if I don't like the atmosphere (for a good reason, not because I get my butt whipped.)

A significant amount of players under the age of 80 is agood idea.
You'll soon tire of all the coughing, spluttering & random moaning noises from elderly players during your games.
Also, it takes absolutely forever to actually get the games underway when the seniors (eventually) turn up in their droves.

Seriously - find a club that has a good amount of youngish players who regularly show.
You'll thank me...

There is a chess club in basingstoke england that is a house. apparently bequethed to the chess and bridge club. Now that is dedication.

Originally posted by Habeascorp
There is a chess club in basingstoke england that is a house. apparently bequethed to the chess and bridge club. Now that is dedication.

I think Brighton & Hove had the same deal.

The Edinburgh Chess club situated in the West End of Edinburgh
was bought by a member for the club in 1920.

I'd say pick the club that is open the most - (Edinburgh C.C. is
6 nights a week.) A good library, strong resident players, young
players as another poster suggested and runs inter club competitions.

Try all three, but do join one.

I use to be a member of 3 so I could play in their club championships.
It was not uncommon when I was totally mad on the game to have
a serious game every night Monday-Thurday. and Friday-Sunday
at some weekend tournament.

Originally posted by PBE6
I'm thinking about joining a chess club. Apparently there's a respected teacher and FIDE Master at a club about 20 minutes from my house, so I think I'm going to investigate that club further.

What should one look for in a club?

I'd say the important things are:
- some players around your level
- some better players
- a team you might be able to play for
- opening night which suits you

Number of opening nights might be important to you. For me it is not: I devote one night per week to chess, and it is easier for me to do that if it is usually the same night - sometimes my team plays games at other clubs, and those can be on other nights.

I find that being in a team motivates me to play more, and try harder.

If you join a team to play local league games, knowing the distance to the furtherest club in it is useful. It is no fun to drive 1.5 hours on a work night, play 3-4 hours of chess, and drive back home to get in bed after midnight. I also found my play suffered on those nights.

My 2 cents.