Welcome to Jolly Good Chess Academy
The placement of a piece, the tap of a clock, the start of something wonderful. Jolly Good Chess runs structured Junior chess classes (6 to 18) across Surrey, focusing on logic, patience, and social development in a supportive environment making it easy for busy parents to find a club close to home. "Mrs Briscoe and her husband have been helping my son play chess for almost 2 years. I have taken my son to other chess clubs, but he only wants to learn from Mrs Briscoe. She is a wonderful teacher and highly personable. She really does provide 'Jolly Good Chess'!" - *Kapil Kapur, Parent*
Your child doesn't need to be a prodigy. They just need decent coaching.
Your child’s first tournament is not cthe finish line.
We treat every class, every lesson, and every game as a deliberate step in your child's journey. Whether honing the fundamentals or sharpening advanced strategy, their progress is real, measurable, and stays with them for a lifetime.
Your child doesn't need more screen time. They need better thinking habits.
We teach chess as a discipline, not a pastime. Every class builds focus, pattern recognition, and the habit of thinking before moving.
Development of Essential Life Skills
We teach chess as a discipline, not a pastime, focusing on critical habits like focus, patience, and thinking before moving.
Measurable Cognitive Growth
Our classes are structured to build specific intellectual benefits such as pattern recognition, ensuring that progress is both real and quantifiable.
Private lessons available
One-to-one coaching for students who want targeted improvement or competitive preparation.
Inclusive Excellence
Whether a student is honing fundamental principles or sharpening advanced strategy, we provide a clear, professional path for every level of experience.
30 Years of Excellence: Over 10,000 Chess Students Mentored
For over three decades, we have been teaching chess as a discipline at some of Surrey’s finest schools. Our approach, built on 30 years of combined expertise, goes beyond the board to foster thinking habits that last a lifetime. We are proud to have mentored over 10,000 students—many of whom still remember our guidance long after their final class.
Mrs Briscoe
chEss TEacher
Jo is an exceptional chess tutor who truly goes above and beyond. My 4‑year‑old absolutely loves learning with her — she knows exactly how to explain each piece and movement in a way that makes sense to young children. Her patience, professionalism, and genuine care really stand out. She even created a personalised story presentation after the lesson, which touched me deeply. It’s rare to find someone who loves their work this much. Highly recommended. Thank You!
Sahila W.
Parent of a 4 year old Surbiton junior chess Club
My son absolutely adores chess here and think the team and events are great. Such inspirational teaching and so lovely to see enthusiam that they inspire in him. Highly recommend.
George V.
Father or avid tournament player
Why join one of our clubs?
We believe that chess is a brilliant way for young people to grow, and our goal is to make that experience as rewarding and enjoyable as possible. Here is why families love being part of our community:
Proven Path
Over 30 years of dedicated Chess Teaching experience
We focus on teaching children how to think clearly and make confident decisions, which are fantastic skills for both the board and the classroom.
95%
Inspiring the next generation of thinkers
95% of our members participate in at least one tournament each year, demonstrating their enthusiasm for applying their skills.
4
Smart moves start here
We host 4 major competitive events every season, providing consistent opportunities for every child to shine.
20+
Play for Surrey
Over 20+ junior players actively compete in our regional community, fostering strong peer connections.
The Ultimate Chess Adventure: Expert Coaching, Creative Strategy, and Real-World Growth.
Embark on the ultimate chess adventure where your child develops their strategic thinking and analytical capability. Our programme provides expert coaching designed to challenge young minds, blending the excitement of the game with the development of creative strategy. Beyond the board, we focus on real-world growth, helping students cultivate the focus, resilience, and decision-making abilities that lead to success in their academic lives and beyond. By joining our vibrant community, your child becomes part of an active, rewarding experience that turns the study of chess into a lifelong asset.
Find a Surrey club where your child's chess progression starts
The sound of pieces sliding across a board. The quiet focus before a move. That's where your child's journey with us begins.
The right environment matters. Three junior clubs for every stage.
Here is how they compare so you can find the perfect fit for your family
Learn the Game - Rule the board!
Chessington Junior chess Club
Best For: All-round flexible learning, beginners, and family-friendly fun. Our club offers a brilliantly structured, two-tier approach. Complete beginners focus on fun and fundamentals in a completely low-pressure zone, while experienced players step up to master-led advanced strategy. We are famous for our interactive workshops and festive chess-themed parties, making it a highly engaging, community-focused hub. When We Meet: Mondays during term time, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Starts 14th September. Where We Meet : The Kings Centre, Coppard Gardens, Chessington, KT9 2GZ (Free on-site parking available & On-site Cafe). First-Time Taster Session | £5: A fun, low-pressure trial session for your child to experience the club. Compliementary gift for all taster session attendees. Weekly Club Class | £7: Our standard pay-as-you-go rate for an hour of Master-led coaching and games. Annual Club Membership | £30: A once-a-year fee to officially reserve your child's place and receive our membership perks.
Brilliant Two-Tier Learning Zone: Whether your child is taking their very first steps or looking to master advanced strategy, our uniquely structured sessions cater perfectly to absolute beginners and rising stars alike.
Fun-First, Community-Driven Hub: We are famous for our highly interactive workshops and festive chess-themed parties, making it a warm, lively environment where kids naturally build lasting friendships over a shared passion.
Expert Master-Led Coaching: Children don't just play; they are actively mentored by experienced professional chess teachers who break down complex tactics into fun, bite-sized lessons that boost focus and classroom confidence.
An Effortless, Stress-Free Visit: Conveniently hosted on Mondays at The Kings Centre (KT9 2GZ) from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, featuring plenty of free on-site parking to make drop-offs and pick-ups a total breeze.
Your Child's next great Move!
Surbiton Junior Chess Club
We do things a bit differently at Surbiton. Hosted in a luxurious, stately-home-style venue, we have designed a premium hour that caters just as much to you as it does to your child. While we teach our "Chess Knights" Beginner, intermediate and advanced Chess, you get to unwind in complete style. When We Meet: Wednesdays during term time, 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm. Starts 16th September. Where to Find Us: Fircroft, 96 Ditton Road, Surbiton, KT6 6HB. First-Time Taster Session | £5: A fun, low-pressure trial session for your child to experience the club. Complimentary Gift for all new players. Weekly Club Class | £10: Our standard pay-as-you-go rate for an hour of Master-led coaching and games. Annual Club Membership | £30: A once-a-year fee to officially reserve your child's place and receive our membership perks.
The Ultimate Parent Lounge: Skip the drafty school benches and waiting in cars. Relax in our exclusive space featuring a premium massage chair, a TV, and complimentary chilled water. It’s your time to switch off.
The Pathway to the Surrey Junior Chess Squad: We sharpen your child's skills to a high competitive standard. For our most dedicated players, consistent performance in our masterclasses and internal club championships serves as the perfect launchpad to try out for the prestigious Surrey Junior Chess Squad.
An Environment that Inspires Excellence: The grand estate atmosphere naturally elevates the mindset. Learning in a beautiful, structured space encourages children to focus, show respect, and take genuine pride in their progress.
The Surbiton Difference: Sixty minutes of premium enrichment for your child, and a well-deserved hour of calm luxury for you.
Emopowering the next generation of players at a club with a history spanning over 150 years.
Kingston Junior Chess Club
powered by Jolly Good ChessFounded in 1875, the Kingston Chess club has long been a cornerstone of the local community. We are thrilled to announce that beginning September 14th, we are launching Kingston Junior Chess, a dedicated space for young enthusiasts to learn, compete, and grow their skills in a supportive, professional environment. Why Choose Kingston Junior Chess? We understand that parents want the best for their children. That is why Kingston Junior Chess is is powered by the experts at Jolly Good Chess. Whilst the junior club operates as an independent entity, or sessions are crafted by profesional DBS-Checked chess teachers with extensive experience in educational settings teaching chess. Our mission is simple: to prove a structured, engaging and safe pathway for juniors to master the game, whether they are playing for fun or dreaming of competitive success. When We Meet: Mondays during term time, 5.00pm to 6.30pm. Starts 14th September. Where to Find Us: Richond Mayo Centre, United Reformed Church, Eden Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1HZ First-Time Taster Session | £5: A fun, low-pressure trial session for your child to experience the club. (Heritage Welcome Gift: To celebrate our launch, every student who attends a taster session will receive a complimentary book from our exclusive heritage library. It's our way of helping your child start their own chess collection from day one.) Weekly Club Class | £12: Our standard pay-as-you-go rate for an hour of Master-led coaching and games. Termly rates available. Annual Club Membership | £30: A once-a-year fee to officially reserve your child's place and receive our membership perks.
A proven Pipeline: We view our junior players as the future of the game. Our program is designed to guide students from their first moves all the way to becoming skilled, confident players ready to graduate into the main Kingston chess Club and ECF Grading.
Safety First: Safeguarding is our higest priority. We maintain a minimum two-person, DBS-checked staff presence at every session to ensure that every child receives the best supervision and care,.
Schedule: We operate during school term times, remaining closed for bank holidays and school holidays. A full schedule is provided one month in advance to keep parents informed and prepared.
Whether your child is picking up a pawn for the first time or looking to sharpen their tactical play, we invite you to join us in in Kingston this September. Come be a part of a legacy that honours the history of chess while buiding the skills of tomorrow.
Kingston Junior Chess is an independent Club acting in partnership with the Kingston Chess Club, our expert curriculum, professional training, and proven track record are delivered exclusively by Jolly Good Chess-ensuring your child learns from the best in the business.
Need a plan that doesn't fit these brackets? We offer bespoke school and home-school programmes.
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