e-mail:       info@SwindonChessClub.org.uk

LinkTree:   @SwindonChessClub

                    (also the Logo/QR, from any page)

Facebook:  The Swindon Chess Club

Chair:              Gordon Price

Treasurer:        Richard Carver

Secretary:        George Georgiou

Rating Officer:  Ollie Swann

Circa 1900, Swindon Chess Club was formed by Canon Alexander George Gordon Ross, who was also President of the British Chess Federation (BCF) 1921-1938.  The club was based in the Mechanics Institute, Emlyn Square and formed part of the Wiltshire County Chess Association. Swindon won the WCCA trophy in 1934, 1935 & 1936.

After World War II, many separate chess clubs were formed reaching a maximum of 16 in 1976, with Swindon winning the WCCA trophy 8 times between 1952 and 1963.  In 1973, one of these clubs (captained by Les Taylor), became a part of Vickers Ltd Sports & Social Club and went on to win the WCCA trophy in 1978.  This club subsequently became the Supermarine Club in 1982.

In 1995 the group decided to leave Supermarine and become independent, resurrecting the name of Swindon Chess Club in the process.  For a while this club operated out of the Moose Hall, Eastcott Road and later used other venues such as The Merlin public house and Christchurch Community Centre, before moving to its current location in 2025.

The only remaining stalwart of the former Supermarine Chess Club, which became Swindon Chess Club, is Richard Carver who was key to the club's creation and still continues to play a pivotal role in the success of the club today.

After some evolution, the WCCA now runs a Wiltshire League competition between several Wiltshire Clubs, with all Leagues eventually having teams of 4-a-side.  Swindon has entered teams in all of these.

In 2018, Richard Carver was elected to Vice President of the WCCA.

Swindon Chess Club won the Minor League in 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Swindon Chess Club generally enters one or more teams in the Intermediate League depending on the number of players available.  It has rarely failed to finish in the top two places and has won the title in: 2001, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

From April 2020 to August 2021 the Club shut down, following advice from the UK Government on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but managed to re-open in time for the start of the 2021/22 winter season.

In 2025 Swindon Chess Club won the Major League.

On 19th January 1976, the Russian Grand Master Viktor Korchnoi played 30 Wiltshire Players in a simultaneous.

Seen here is GM Viktor Korchnoi playing Richard Carver (with hand on chin and our longest serving member), who at that time was playing under the banner of Vickers Sports & Social Club.

Also seen is Bob Sparks (to Richard Carver's right side, with pen in mouth) and Harry Motley (2nd from the right in the audience).

The local newpaper The Evening Advertiser (now The Swindon Advertiser) also ran an article about the event.

It is a little hard to make out due to being taken from an old microfiche, but below can be seen a photo from this article, with GM Viktor Korchnoi playing Mervyn Lovell (looking down and writing the move).

Also playing were Swindon Chess Club members Danny O'Byrne (who drew his game) and Anthony Lake.

The following club members who have sadly passed away, are recorded here for posterity: