Hammersmith Chess Club
@hammerchess.bsky.social
Founded in 1962, Hammersmith Chess Club is the largest & most welcoming club in Greater London. We play in the London, Central London, Middlesex and Thames Valley Leagues. All levels and ages are welcome to visit us at the London Mindsports centre, W6 0JD
Pinned
Hammersmith - London’s biggest chess club tour!
YouTube video by FIDE chess
youtu.be
We believe this result is not an accident, and it reflects the many years of hard work by our volunteers that made our club grow to become the biggest in London.
Charlize van Zyl visited us last week and you can watch her tour in FIDE's video below:
youtu.be/NxR6mFl9d4E?...
Charlize van Zyl visited us last week and you can watch her tour in FIDE's video below:
youtu.be/NxR6mFl9d4E?...
Reposted by Hammersmith Chess Club
Nice to play some OTB blitz again! Thanks for organising
We had a blast last night with over 400 games in our Blitz tournament!
After 9 rounds, IM Tom Rendle and FM David Haydon scored 7.5 points, with tiebreaks favouring @trendle.bsky.social who then became champion!
He is pictured with Chief Arbiter IA Judit Sztaray
Thanks all for playing!
After 9 rounds, IM Tom Rendle and FM David Haydon scored 7.5 points, with tiebreaks favouring @trendle.bsky.social who then became champion!
He is pictured with Chief Arbiter IA Judit Sztaray
Thanks all for playing!
February 6, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Nice to play some OTB blitz again! Thanks for organising
We had a blast last night with over 400 games in our Blitz tournament!
After 9 rounds, IM Tom Rendle and FM David Haydon scored 7.5 points, with tiebreaks favouring @trendle.bsky.social who then became champion!
He is pictured with Chief Arbiter IA Judit Sztaray
Thanks all for playing!
After 9 rounds, IM Tom Rendle and FM David Haydon scored 7.5 points, with tiebreaks favouring @trendle.bsky.social who then became champion!
He is pictured with Chief Arbiter IA Judit Sztaray
Thanks all for playing!
February 6, 2026 at 8:08 PM
We had a blast last night with over 400 games in our Blitz tournament!
After 9 rounds, IM Tom Rendle and FM David Haydon scored 7.5 points, with tiebreaks favouring @trendle.bsky.social who then became champion!
He is pictured with Chief Arbiter IA Judit Sztaray
Thanks all for playing!
After 9 rounds, IM Tom Rendle and FM David Haydon scored 7.5 points, with tiebreaks favouring @trendle.bsky.social who then became champion!
He is pictured with Chief Arbiter IA Judit Sztaray
Thanks all for playing!
Almost 100 participants, 15 different federations, and 10 Titled players
The Hammersmith Blitz Open is underway!
Great prizes from @chess.com including a board signed by Magnus Carlsen!
The Hammersmith Blitz Open is underway!
Great prizes from @chess.com including a board signed by Magnus Carlsen!
February 5, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Almost 100 participants, 15 different federations, and 10 Titled players
The Hammersmith Blitz Open is underway!
Great prizes from @chess.com including a board signed by Magnus Carlsen!
The Hammersmith Blitz Open is underway!
Great prizes from @chess.com including a board signed by Magnus Carlsen!
A few spots left in our Blitz tournament on Thursday!
Open to all, with great prizes across various rating ranges, and you could be the lucky winner of a board signed by Magnus Carlsen while he's in London!
Sign up below:
forms.gle/akZ1CRbCNDoj...
Open to all, with great prizes across various rating ranges, and you could be the lucky winner of a board signed by Magnus Carlsen while he's in London!
Sign up below:
forms.gle/akZ1CRbCNDoj...
We are delighted to host an Open Blitz Tournament on Thursday 5 February, in collaboration with @chess.com, who are generously providing a substantial prize fund, including a board signed by Magnus Carlsen!
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/23/t...
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/23/t...
January 31, 2026 at 5:55 PM
A few spots left in our Blitz tournament on Thursday!
Open to all, with great prizes across various rating ranges, and you could be the lucky winner of a board signed by Magnus Carlsen while he's in London!
Sign up below:
forms.gle/akZ1CRbCNDoj...
Open to all, with great prizes across various rating ranges, and you could be the lucky winner of a board signed by Magnus Carlsen while he's in London!
Sign up below:
forms.gle/akZ1CRbCNDoj...
Hammersmith 1 vs Wood Green starts in 10 minutes!
Only 7 GMs for the visitors 🫣
Go team!
Watch live on lichess (top 6 boards): lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Only 7 GMs for the visitors 🫣
Go team!
Watch live on lichess (top 6 boards): lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
January 27, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Hammersmith 1 vs Wood Green starts in 10 minutes!
Only 7 GMs for the visitors 🫣
Go team!
Watch live on lichess (top 6 boards): lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Only 7 GMs for the visitors 🫣
Go team!
Watch live on lichess (top 6 boards): lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
And who else is coming to the Pre-SCC Hammersmith Blitz Open?😄
Join us at the biggest club in London, with a nice prize fund from @chess.com! Many strong players have already signed up
Don't miss your spot! Entry form on our website
Join us at the biggest club in London, with a nice prize fund from @chess.com! Many strong players have already signed up
Don't miss your spot! Entry form on our website
January 27, 2026 at 10:06 AM
And who else is coming to the Pre-SCC Hammersmith Blitz Open?😄
Join us at the biggest club in London, with a nice prize fund from @chess.com! Many strong players have already signed up
Don't miss your spot! Entry form on our website
Join us at the biggest club in London, with a nice prize fund from @chess.com! Many strong players have already signed up
Don't miss your spot! Entry form on our website
Tomorrow from 6:45pm we take on the London League champions of the last 23 seasons, Wood Green!
We'll have live boards on display at the club, with expert commentary! Come and support our club's first team players!
We'll have live boards on display at the club, with expert commentary! Come and support our club's first team players!
January 26, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Tomorrow from 6:45pm we take on the London League champions of the last 23 seasons, Wood Green!
We'll have live boards on display at the club, with expert commentary! Come and support our club's first team players!
We'll have live boards on display at the club, with expert commentary! Come and support our club's first team players!
We are delighted to host an Open Blitz Tournament on Thursday 5 February, in collaboration with @chess.com, who are generously providing a substantial prize fund, including a board signed by Magnus Carlsen!
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/23/t...
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/23/t...
January 24, 2026 at 12:22 PM
We are delighted to host an Open Blitz Tournament on Thursday 5 February, in collaboration with @chess.com, who are generously providing a substantial prize fund, including a board signed by Magnus Carlsen!
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/23/t...
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/23/t...
We have 4 London League matches tonight!
Two at the MSC:
Hammer 2 v East Ham 1
Hammer Juniors v King's Head 2
And two away on the Women's Division:
London Women v Hammer Women 1
Wimbledon Women v Hammer Women 2
Good luck to all!
Two at the MSC:
Hammer 2 v East Ham 1
Hammer Juniors v King's Head 2
And two away on the Women's Division:
London Women v Hammer Women 1
Wimbledon Women v Hammer Women 2
Good luck to all!
January 20, 2026 at 3:56 PM
We have 4 London League matches tonight!
Two at the MSC:
Hammer 2 v East Ham 1
Hammer Juniors v King's Head 2
And two away on the Women's Division:
London Women v Hammer Women 1
Wimbledon Women v Hammer Women 2
Good luck to all!
Two at the MSC:
Hammer 2 v East Ham 1
Hammer Juniors v King's Head 2
And two away on the Women's Division:
London Women v Hammer Women 1
Wimbledon Women v Hammer Women 2
Good luck to all!
A record 49 players are taking part in our blitz tournament tonight! Just 3 players remain on 3/3. Who's your favourite to win?
January 19, 2026 at 8:38 PM
A record 49 players are taking part in our blitz tournament tonight! Just 3 players remain on 3/3. Who's your favourite to win?
A busy room for our Thames Valley League match against Surbiton, plus some internal games
Good luck to all!
Good luck to all!
January 15, 2026 at 7:14 PM
A busy room for our Thames Valley League match against Surbiton, plus some internal games
Good luck to all!
Good luck to all!
Our Thames Valley League match against Ealing is about to start!
Follow live on lichess:
lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Follow live on lichess:
lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Hammersmith Chess Club • Thames Valley League: Hammersmith A vs. Ealing A
lichess.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Our Thames Valley League match against Ealing is about to start!
Follow live on lichess:
lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Follow live on lichess:
lichess.org/broadcast/ha...
Our Club Captain Gastón was featured on the Perpetual Chess Podcast, discussing our growth as a club and some of his own personal journey as well.
Listen to the interview on the links below!
Listen to the interview on the links below!
I was on the Perpetual Chess Podcast speaking about Hammersmith Chess Club and how it's grown to become the biggest club in London!
Many thanks to Ben for the invitation!
Listen on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/5yCX...
Or on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Many thanks to Ben for the invitation!
Listen on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/5yCX...
Or on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
January 6, 2026 at 4:34 PM
Our Club Captain Gastón was featured on the Perpetual Chess Podcast, discussing our growth as a club and some of his own personal journey as well.
Listen to the interview on the links below!
Listen to the interview on the links below!
Reposted by Hammersmith Chess Club
I was on the Perpetual Chess Podcast speaking about Hammersmith Chess Club and how it's grown to become the biggest club in London!
Many thanks to Ben for the invitation!
Listen on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/5yCX...
Or on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Many thanks to Ben for the invitation!
Listen on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/5yCX...
Or on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
January 6, 2026 at 2:16 PM
I was on the Perpetual Chess Podcast speaking about Hammersmith Chess Club and how it's grown to become the biggest club in London!
Many thanks to Ben for the invitation!
Listen on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/5yCX...
Or on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Many thanks to Ben for the invitation!
Listen on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/5yCX...
Or on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Our League season returns tonight with Hammer Hedger facing Yas Queen in the Intermediate division of the London League
Currently 9 of our 19 teams stand at the top of their league tables, check out the summary by Club Captain Gaston Franco:
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/04/h...
Currently 9 of our 19 teams stand at the top of their league tables, check out the summary by Club Captain Gaston Franco:
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/04/h...
January 5, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Our League season returns tonight with Hammer Hedger facing Yas Queen in the Intermediate division of the London League
Currently 9 of our 19 teams stand at the top of their league tables, check out the summary by Club Captain Gaston Franco:
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/04/h...
Currently 9 of our 19 teams stand at the top of their league tables, check out the summary by Club Captain Gaston Franco:
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/04/h...
Happy New Year to All! 🎉🥳
Chess never stops, so this month we have 22 matches, a new Beginners Course stating on 15 Jan, plus the return of Women's Hour and Junior Hour alongside our regular club nights
See more details from David on the link below:
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/01/t...
Chess never stops, so this month we have 22 matches, a new Beginners Course stating on 15 Jan, plus the return of Women's Hour and Junior Hour alongside our regular club nights
See more details from David on the link below:
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/01/t...
The Year of the Horse (Knight?!) | Hammersmith Chess Club
A new year, and the chess season bursts back into life on Monday 5 January. We’ve got 21 club matches lined up this month, with opportunities for players of every strength. Check out the new Calendar ...
hammerchess.co.uk
January 1, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Happy New Year to All! 🎉🥳
Chess never stops, so this month we have 22 matches, a new Beginners Course stating on 15 Jan, plus the return of Women's Hour and Junior Hour alongside our regular club nights
See more details from David on the link below:
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/01/t...
Chess never stops, so this month we have 22 matches, a new Beginners Course stating on 15 Jan, plus the return of Women's Hour and Junior Hour alongside our regular club nights
See more details from David on the link below:
hammerchess.co.uk/2026/01/01/t...
So. Many. Questions...
(The position was composed by Hieronymus Fischer in 1879!)
(The position was composed by Hieronymus Fischer in 1879!)
December 22, 2025 at 10:39 PM
So. Many. Questions...
(The position was composed by Hieronymus Fischer in 1879!)
(The position was composed by Hieronymus Fischer in 1879!)
I wonder which Club that was!? 😅
December 22, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I wonder which Club that was!? 😅
Our big quiz of 2025 is underway! The first round includes strange puzzles like this one.
Can you figure it out?
@gatofranco90.bsky.social
Can you figure it out?
@gatofranco90.bsky.social
December 22, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Our big quiz of 2025 is underway! The first round includes strange puzzles like this one.
Can you figure it out?
@gatofranco90.bsky.social
Can you figure it out?
@gatofranco90.bsky.social
Reposted by Hammersmith Chess Club
Monday Puzzle
I'm all set for hosting another Quiz at my club @hammerchess.bsky.social tonight!
Here's a question I asked last year. Maybe not too hard? But it caught a few people off guard!
I'm all set for hosting another Quiz at my club @hammerchess.bsky.social tonight!
Here's a question I asked last year. Maybe not too hard? But it caught a few people off guard!
December 22, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Monday Puzzle
I'm all set for hosting another Quiz at my club @hammerchess.bsky.social tonight!
Here's a question I asked last year. Maybe not too hard? But it caught a few people off guard!
I'm all set for hosting another Quiz at my club @hammerchess.bsky.social tonight!
Here's a question I asked last year. Maybe not too hard? But it caught a few people off guard!
What a match! Well played all!
And with last night's results, our "Hammersmith 1" teams are in sole or shared first place in all 4 Leagues! (London, Middlesex, Thames Valley and Central London)
And with last night's results, our "Hammersmith 1" teams are in sole or shared first place in all 4 Leagues! (London, Middlesex, Thames Valley and Central London)
December 19, 2025 at 9:24 AM
What a match! Well played all!
And with last night's results, our "Hammersmith 1" teams are in sole or shared first place in all 4 Leagues! (London, Middlesex, Thames Valley and Central London)
And with last night's results, our "Hammersmith 1" teams are in sole or shared first place in all 4 Leagues! (London, Middlesex, Thames Valley and Central London)
Reposted by Hammersmith Chess Club
Friday puzzle
I beat a 2235 ECF last night, who played better than me but I was lucky when he fell for a trick.
What tactic did he miss? Black to play!
My team did alright too, and left the Galacticos seeing stars!
I beat a 2235 ECF last night, who played better than me but I was lucky when he fell for a trick.
What tactic did he miss? Black to play!
My team did alright too, and left the Galacticos seeing stars!
December 19, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Friday puzzle
I beat a 2235 ECF last night, who played better than me but I was lucky when he fell for a trick.
What tactic did he miss? Black to play!
My team did alright too, and left the Galacticos seeing stars!
I beat a 2235 ECF last night, who played better than me but I was lucky when he fell for a trick.
What tactic did he miss? Black to play!
My team did alright too, and left the Galacticos seeing stars!
An astonishing game in the London League last night, played by one of our youngest juniors!
Mark Kerobyan got an early lead for Hammersmith Juniors with this nice miniature, although our strong opponents Mushrooms 2 won the match in the end!
Well played all!
Mark Kerobyan got an early lead for Hammersmith Juniors with this nice miniature, although our strong opponents Mushrooms 2 won the match in the end!
Well played all!
December 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM
An astonishing game in the London League last night, played by one of our youngest juniors!
Mark Kerobyan got an early lead for Hammersmith Juniors with this nice miniature, although our strong opponents Mushrooms 2 won the match in the end!
Well played all!
Mark Kerobyan got an early lead for Hammersmith Juniors with this nice miniature, although our strong opponents Mushrooms 2 won the match in the end!
Well played all!
Four winners at our 960 Tournament, and some nice Christmas Jumpers!
December 16, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Four winners at our 960 Tournament, and some nice Christmas Jumpers!
We have two away matches at Hendon, our Middlesex League 2nd and 4th teams are expecting tough opposition there.
The London League Eastman Cup quarterfinals against Imperial College will be played at home, from 7pm.
Good luck to all our players!
The London League Eastman Cup quarterfinals against Imperial College will be played at home, from 7pm.
Good luck to all our players!
December 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
We have two away matches at Hendon, our Middlesex League 2nd and 4th teams are expecting tough opposition there.
The London League Eastman Cup quarterfinals against Imperial College will be played at home, from 7pm.
Good luck to all our players!
The London League Eastman Cup quarterfinals against Imperial College will be played at home, from 7pm.
Good luck to all our players!